THE 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN 



AND 



AVEBSTER, 

FROM 1733 TO 1878 

COMPILED BY 

CHARLES CARLETON COFFIN. 

WITH iMAP AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 







^^ 



CONCORD, N. H.: 

PRINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. 
1878. 



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ipAciA^Zt^ GaA.^€cZ^^ &d 




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CONTENTS 







Page. 


Preliminary Chapter, 


V 


Civil Hi. 


3T0RY, 


1 


Chap. I. 


Plantation of Coutoocook, . 


1 


II. 


Settlement of Contoocook, . 


15 


III. 


The Second Decade, .... 


28 


IV. 


The Ei-ench and Indian War, 


51 


V. 


The Town, ..... 


81 


VI. 


Preparing for the Great Struggle, 


103 


VII. 


Beginning of the Revolution, 


111 


VIII. 


Close of the War, .... 


122 


IX. 


Under the Constitution, . . . . 


136 


X. 


Pirst Decade of the Century, 


157 


XI. 


Progress, ...... 


172 


XII. 


Prom 1820 to 1830, 




188 


XIII. 


Temperance, 




194 


XIV. 


Prom 1840 to 1850, 




203 


XV. 


Prom 1850 to 1860, 




211 


Webster 


, . 




217 


Ecclesiastical History, 




226 


Military 


History*, . 




246 


Educational History, 




279 


Biographical History", . 




301 


Genealogical, . 




451 


Miscellany, 




619 



ILLUSTEATIOIN^S. 



Charles Carleton CofRn, . 
John Kimball, .... 
I. K. Gage, .... 
Map of Boscaweu and Webster, 
Alfred Little, .... 
Crossing to Contoocook, . 
'Duston, Neff, and Leonardson, 
Hezekiah Fellows, 
S. B. Little, . 
First Meeting-house, 
William H. Gage, 
Abraham Burbank, 
Nathan Pearson, 
Moody A. Pillsbury, 
Indian Medicine, 
Moses Fellows, 
Hale Atkinson, 
William Temple, 
Elipbaiet Kiburn, 
Benjamin T. Kimball 
Thomas Gerrish, 
Thomas Little, 
Worcester Webster, 
Town-house, Webster, 
Abial R. Chandler, . 
Breaking and Swingling, 
Plow, 
Hay-scales, 
Friend L. Burbank, 
E. K. AVebster, 
Jacob Gerrish, 
Congregational Meeting-house, Boscawen, 
Congregational Meeting-house, Webster, 
Congregational Meeting-house, Fisherville, 
Methodist Meeting-house, Webster, 
Bennington Battle-ground, 
Plan of Bennington Battle, 
D. E. Burbank, 
CM. Burbank, 
W. H. Sargent, 
D. A Macurdy, 
Boscawen Academy, 



Page. 
Frontispiece. 



VI ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. 

"* Penacook Academy, 293 

Enoch Little, 301 

John Aldrich, ..,.....•• 315 

Edward Buxton, 323 

Jonas Call, 335 

Moody Currier, 345 

John A. Dix, 349 

Birthplace of John Adams Dix, • 357 

Moses G. Farmer, 361 

Early Home of Prof. M. G. Fanner, 371 

W. P. Fessendeu, 375 

llesidence of Dea. Thomas Gerrish, 379 

Martha Clough Gerrish, 384 

Nath'l Greene, 387 

Chas. G. Greene, 393 

D. F. Kimball, 399 

Henry Little, 413 

Jacob Little, 421 

J. L. Pillsbury, 429 

Fred P. Stone, 439 

Daniel Webster, 447 

Ezekiel Webster, 453 

Henry Atkinson, 469 

.Coffin Arms, 491 

Enoch Corser, 497 

John P. Farmer, 525 J 

F. S. French, 533 »■ 

The Home of Enoch, Isaac, Enoch, and F. L. Gerrish, . . 539 

Enoch Gerrish, ......... 551 

A^lmon Harris, 555 

Enoch Kilburn, ......... 5C3 

Peter Kimball, 569 

Thomas Little, 577 

Charles Little, 587 

Peter Stone, C13 

W. AV. Call, 621 

B. A. Kimball, 631 

S. B. Gerrish, 635 

Carding and Spinning, 641 

J. W. Gerrish 645 

Duston Monument, 649 

F. L. Gerrish, 657 

J. E. Pecker, 659 

A.B.Winn, 661 



peelimi:n"aby chapter. 



There is but one municipality in the world bearing the name 
of Boscawen. The township, thus named for Lord Boscawen of 
the English navj', is situated on the west bank of Merrimack 
river in New Hampshire. Originally it was seven miles square, 
and, from the date of its settlement in 1733 to 1760, bore the Ind- 
ian name Contoocook, After a corporate existence of one hun- 
dred years, from 1760 to 1860, the township was divided into two 
parts nearly equal in area, the eastern retaining the original cor- 
porate name, the western taking the name of Webster, in honor 
of America's great orator, jurist, and statesman, who received his 
education, in part, in Boscawen, and who for three years was 
one of its honored citizens. 

The first movement to obtain a history of the town was inau- 
gurated sixty years ago, by Capt. Joshua C Plummer, Henry, 
Enoch, and Simeon B. Little, and others, at whose solicitation 
the work was undertaken by Rev, Ebenezer Price, pastor of the 
Second Congregational church. George Jackman, born in 1735, 
town-clerk for many years, was then living, and many other indi- 
viduals whose memories reached back to the early years of the 
town's history, from whom Rev. Mr. Price obtained authentic in- 
formation to supplement the town records. The result of his 
labor was the publication of a pamphlet entitled "A Chronological 
Register of Boscawen, Merrimack county. State of New Hamp- 
shire, from the first settlement of the town to 1820." 

The town voted fifty dollars to Rev. Mr. Price as compensa- 
tion for the writing, but appropriated nothing for publishing the 
pamphlet, the expense of which was borne by the public-spirited 



Viii PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 

men who started the enterprise, to their pecuniary loss. The his- 
tory was written with much care, and, though brief, presented an 
admirable outline of the civil affairs, and a record of the most im- 
portant events of the period. 

Fifty-eight years have passed since the publication of that 
history, during which period great changes have taken place. 
Many of the former citizens and their descendants are to be 
found upon the prairies of the West, or amid the mines of Nevada 
and California ; while others have taken up their abodes in the 
manufacturing towns of New England, or in the cities of the sea- 
board, turning their attention from agricultural to mechanical or 
mercantile pursuits. Emigration, railroads, and the employment 
of machinery, supplanting manual labor in a great degree m 
the shop and on the farm, have changed society. Apprenticeship, 
and trades once acquired under it, together have disappeared. 
Many of the employments and occupations of fifty years ago have 
disappeared forever. New habits and customs have taken the 
places of those of other days. The children of to-day do not stand 
bare-headed, with cap in hand, by the roadside, and " make their 
manners " when the minister rides by. The minister is no longer 
an oracle, nor are the town esquires embodiments of the majesty 
of law, as in days of yore. 

Since the publication of Rev. Mr. Price's history, the academy, 
and the graded and normal schools, have supplemented the schools 
taught by the masters and mistresses of the olden time, in which 
the catechism was regarded as an important study. No newsboy 
rides his weekly post-route now, as Simeon B. Little rode in those 
first years of the century, carrying the Concord Gazette to his 
patrons ; no canvas-covered wagons plod their way along the turn- 
pike, from Vermont to Boston; no gaily painted stage, with 
horses all afoam, rolls along the dusty way ; the tavern sign no 
longer swings in the wind ; the hospitable landlord, the bar with 
its row of glass decanters, the generous fire flaming on the 
hearth, the heated loggerhead, toddy-stick, flip, and punch, — 
all have disappeared. 

There are new methods and new forces in the civilization of to- 
day. The railroad, the telegraph, the printing-press, and other 
forces equally powerful, are coming in to transform society ; — the 
telephone, which enables us to talk with friends far away, as if 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. IX 

they were by our side ; the phonograph, which preserves the 
words we speak — which will bring back to us from the eternal 
shores the voices of our departed friends, so that even from the 
spirit land we may still hear their voices as when they were with 
us in the flesh. 

Fifty-eight years ago, the world at large knew nothing of 
these forces of civilization. The reaping-machine, the sewing- 
machine, the multitudinous devices and arrangements of mechan- 
ical forces to make iron, steel, steam, and water-power do the work 
of human hands, were all unknown. The period since 1840 has 
been the world's great era of invention, surpassing all other pe- 
riods in history. 

Fifty-eight years ago, when Rev. Mr. Price laid down his pen 
as historian, the world had not heard of the men whose names 
to-day are written large in the history of the republic. In 1820, 
Daniel Webster was a lawyer of renown in Boston ; but ten years 
passed before the nation heard of him. In that same year, John 
Adams Dix was a student-at-law, poring over Blackstone ; William 
Pitt Fessenden a sophomore at Bowdoin ; Jacob Little a soph- 
omore at Dartmouth ; Henry Little at work on his father's farm ; 
Moses Gerrish Farmer an infant in his mother's arms ; — to-day, 
all except Rev. Henry Little and Prof. Farmer have accomplished 
their life-work, and have passed on to the great Hereafter. 

The citizen best qualified to gather up the memorials of the past, 
to summarize the life-work of his compeers through this period 
of nearh' three-score years, was Simeon B. Little, born in 1797. 
He had an inquiring mind, a retentive memory, and a compre- 
hensive grasp of men and things. In his boyhood he talked with 
men whose memories ran back to the first years of the town's set- 
tlement. His father had been a soldier at Bennington, a magis- 
trate, a man conversant with public affairs. Through the old men 
of his early years he became intimately acquainted with that in- 
valuable history and tradition of the past, that had no record save 
in the memories of men. Active in private and public life, he 
came in contact with the whole community. As moderator of 
town-meetings, he knew every voter ; as administrator of estates 
and executor of wills, and as a magistrate, he became acquainted 
with the histories of individuals and families. He loved history, 
and for many years intended to gather up the records and memo- 



X PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 

rials for the basis of a complete history ; hut, beset hy the cares of 
a busy life, he never found time to carry out his intentions. 

It was in 1871, after partial paralysis had incapacitated him 
from labor, that I talked with him upon the subject of employing 
some one to write at his dictation. 

" It is too late ; somebody else must do it," he said. 

Wishing to preserve what would be lost forever when his mem- 
ory failed, I made notes of his recollections, not with the inten- 
tion of myself embodying them in a historic volume, but to turn 
them over to some one who might be induced to undertake the 
work. 

A few months later I met Eev. Dr. Nathaniel Bouton, tlien 
editing the Provincial Records of New Hampshire, who was 
keenly alive to the importance of preserving town histories. 

" You must write the history of Boscawen," he said. '' No 
other town has exercised a more potent influence for good ; none 
can show a brighter record, or such a roll of honor. If you do 
not undertake the work, its history never will be written." 

Impressed by the earnest remarks of Dr. Bouton, and at the 
solicitation of Isaac K. Gage, Esq., and others of my native town, 
I began the collection of materials. The field of research has been 
wide, embracing the archives in the office of the Massachusetts 
secretary of state, the secretary's and adjutant-general's offices at 
Concord, the libraries of the New Hampshire Historical, Massa- 
chusetts Historical, and New England Genealogical and Histori- 
cal societies, the records of the proprietors of Contoocook, and the 
records of the town since its incorporation up to 1878. 

Lord Macauley, in writing his History of England, confessed 
that he had obtained valuable information from old almanacs, and 
from the fly-leaves of books scrawled by hands that had long before 
crumbled to dust. Although this volume is but the history of a 
town instead of a period in the history of a kingdom, I may with 
equal propriety express my indebtedness to scraps of paper found 
in old chests and bags, to files of almanacs, diaries, account-books, 
and other memoranda obtained from garrets. 

The preparation of the volume has necessitated a wide corre- 
spondence ; for the sons and daughters of Boscawen are to be 
found in nearly every state and territory of the Union. I am 
indebted to Gov. John A. Dix for reminiscences of his bovhood in 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. Xl 

Boscawen; also to Hon. G. W. Nesmith, of Franklin, for valu- 
able information relating to the Colonial and Revolutionary 
periods ; also to Levi Bartlett, of Warner, who in his earl}'- years 
was a resident of Boscawen, and whose acquaintance with the 
chief men of the town dates hack to the early years of the cen- 
tury. 

It is a pleasure to express my indebtedness to Benjamin Jack- 
man, Enoch Pillsbury, David Sweatt, and Luke Corser, — all born 
in the eighteenth century, and who are still able to recall the 
scenes of their early years. 

I am under special obligations to Dea. William Temple, of 
East Woburn, Mass., long a resident of Boscawen, an officer of 
the militia and of the church, antiquary and genealogist, who has 
enriched the volume by his contributions. 

To my co-laborers, Isaac K. Gage, John C. Pearson, Hon, 
John Kimball, Maj. Alfred Little, and Ephraim Little, who have 
especially aided in the preparation of the volume, who have 
labored with no hope of reward except that enjoyment which 
comes from serving others, I express my sincere gratitude, and 
ask for them the thanks of the public. 

The citizens of Boscawen are indebted to Mrs. Ezekiel Webster 
for the portrait of her husband, and also to Mrs. Charlotte G. 
Cumston, of Boston, through whose liberality the volume is 
adorned by portraits of her father, Col. Charles G. Greene, 
and her uncle, Nathaniel Greene ; and they are under like obli- 
gations to Hon. ]\Ioody Currier, of Manchester, for his portrait ; 
to Mrs. Mary G. Wood, of West Lebanon, and Mrs. Betsy Wil- 
son, of Contoocook, for the restored view of one of the historic 
mansions no longer existing, — the birthplace of Nathaniel and 
Charles G. Greene and William P. Fessenden. They are under 
like obligations to Prof. Moses G. Farmer and Mrs. C. C. Coffin 
for a view of their early home ; and to Col. Enoch Gerrish for a 
view of his birth-place and home of his ancestors. 

I am under obligations to Eev. Nathaniel Bouton, d. d., lately 
deceased, to Benjamin Chase, historian of Chester, and to Robert 
B. Caverly, of Lowell, Mass., for illustrations, which add much 
to the attractiveness of the volume. 

To those who have contributed portraits of themselves, to those 
filial sons and daughters who have given portraits of fathers, to 



Xn PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 

all who have contributed biographies and genealogies, the thanks 
of the public are due. 

• To Henry Rolfe, of Winchester, Mass., the citizens are indebted 
for the account of manufactures at Fisherville. 

Through the kindness of A. J. Coolidge, of Boston, the volume 
has been enriched by a view of Bennington battle-field. 

I wish to express mj^ thanks to Edward A. Jenks, through 
whose care and watchfulness the pages of the volume are so fair 
and free from errors. Thanks are also due to W. H. Forbes, of 
Boston, for the care taken in printing the lithographs contained 
in the volume. 

To aid the publication of this history, the town of Boscawen 
voted, in 1875, with great unanimity, the sum of three hundred 
dollars. The town of Webster not having appropriated any money, 
and it being manifest that a history worthy of the town could not 
be published without the cooperation of individuals, fifteen public- 
spirited citizens obligated themselves, in the sum of eight hun- 
dred and fifty dollars, to bear whatever expense might be incur- 
red in the publication. The citizens signing this compact are 

Isaac K. Gage, Peter Coffin, 

Nathaniel S. Webster, Charles J. Chadwick, 

E. G. Wood, John C. Pearson, 

D. E. Kimball, Geo. Little, 

M. A. Pillsbury, Sherman Little, 

Henry H. Gerrish, Wm. W. Burbank, 

r. B. Sawyer, James L, Gerrish. 
Ephraim Little, 

It is a pleasure to record their names, for had it not been for 
their public spirit the history would never have reached the 
hands of the printer. Coming generations will accord them the 
honor which is their due. 

The citizens of Boscawen have a right to know to what uses 
the money voted by the town has been appropriated, and it is a 
pleasure to say that they will find the entire amount in the 
outline map of the two towns, and in the views of the churches, 
academies, the Duston monument, and the portraits of Daniel 
Webster, John A. Dix, and William P. Eessenden. 

The compiler of this history has given many days and nights 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. XIU 

to the undertaking, many weeks and months, has experienced 
much weariness of mind and body, without hope of any pecuniary 
recompense ; but he has the satisfaction of knowing that the 
memorials are rescued from oblivion, to be preserved forever. 
Mistakes there are, some of which have been corrected on the 
page of amendments. No one can be more sensible than the 
writer to the incompleteness of the work, nor can any one who 
has not engaged iu collecting historical data understand how 
difficult it has been in many instances to verify information. A 
historian should be unbiassed; and it has been the aim of the 
writer, in this respect, to divest himself of all predilection that 
would swerve him from correct statement concerning parties in 
politics and denominations in religion, and a just judgment of 
men and events. 

The volume has grown upon the compiler's hands, containing 
some two hundred pages more than was first contemplated ; and 
yet the material at his command, statistical and documentary, of 
great interest, would have swelled the volume to one thousand 
pages. The record of service in the Rebellion is limited to the 
names of those who enlisted. Little is recorded of their march- 
ings, their sufferings, their heroism in battle, their wounds, their 
deaths ; and space also has been wanting to set forth the services 
of those who have been educators of the communit}' — a long list 
of honorable names. 

The history of Boscawen covers a period of one hundred and 
forty-five years, reaching back to the time when the colonies of 
England embraced only a narrow strip along the Atlantic coast, 
when by far the largest portion of the continent was under the 
dominion of France. It covers the period of the great struggle 
between those powers for supremacy in the Western world. Citi- 
zens of Boscawen took part in those struggles, and aided to 
supplant the banner bearing the lilies of France for that emblaz- 
oned with the cross of St. George. From 1733 to 1756 Bos- 
cawen was the outpost of civilization. From the log cabins on 
King street to the St. Lawrence there were no human habi- 
tations, with the exception of those in Salisbury,' from which the 
settlers were forced to flee ; yet, keeping watcli and ward, the 
stalwart citizens of Boscawen boldly maintained their ground 
against the savage foe. They traversed the pathless wilderness 



Xiv PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 

to the upper Connecticut, or served at Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point against the common enemy. 

In the Eevolution every citizen was a patriot. Twenty men of 
Boscawen stood unfalteringly behind the rail fence at Bunker Hill 
with John Stark, and gave that resistance which made the repub- 
lic of the United States a possibility. Twenty-six of them were 
in that storming of the enemy's works at Bennington, which, in 
its results, made the republic a certainty. 

In the war of 1812, and in the Rebellion of 1861, there was no 
diminution of patriotism. Whenever soldiers were called for, there 
were men ready to enlist ; whenever money was wanted, there 
was no stint in appropriation. 

Whoever peruses this history will notice that the first settlers 
recognized religion as essential to the welfare of the community ; 
that at the outset they erected a meeting-house, organized a 
church, and settled a minister; that through all the proprietary 
meetings, the first business done was to vote the necessary sup- 
plies for the support of their pastor ; that during the years when 
they were compelled to live in garrison, doing their work in the 
field with sentinels on guard, and during all the hardships of the 
Colonial and Revolutionary periods, they maintained public wor- 
ship. 

It will be further noticed, that during the Colonial war, when 
taxes were burdensome, and through the Revolution, when their 
currency was worthless, they supported public schools. 

"New Hampshire produces granite and men," was Daniel 
Webster's answer to one who sneered at the rock-ribbed state 
that gave him birth. Is there any other locality in this republic 
that can present such a roll of honorable names as Boscawen ex- 
hibits to the world ? True, Daniel and Ezekiel Webster were 
born just outside its corporate limits, but the influence of such a 
civilization as the first settlers of Contoocook inaugurated is not 
confined by lines run by a surveyor's compass, measured by a 
chain, and blazed on the pines of the forest. Such a civilization 
illuminates all the surrounding country. The early settlers of 
Salisbury sat in its light, as did they of Canterbury, attending 
meeting in Boscawen. Not till 1773, thirty-three years after the 
settlement of Rev. Phineas Stevens, was there a minister in Salis- 
bury. Although Canterbury was incorporated as a town in 1727, 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. XV 

and was settled in 1733, there was no clmrcli organized till 1760. 
Not till 1772, when Rev. Eden Bnrroughs was ordained, was 
there a minister in Hopkinton. Throngh all those years, dating 
back to 1738, the log meeting-house on King street was the one 
spot between Concord and Canada where public religious service 
was always maintained. As upon the yielding sand we trace the 
footsteps of those who have gone before us, so on the pages of 
this history we shall see what those first settlers — what Kev. 
Phineas Stevens, Rev. Robie Morrill, Rev. Samuel Wood, those 
early ministers of Boscawen — did for those who have succeeded 
them in the march of life. 

To Rev. Samuel Wood came Daniel Webster, at the age of fif- 
teen, to supplement his few weeks of study at Exeter, preparatory 
to entering Dartmouth college. In the library established by the 
citizens of Boscawen he found mental aliment which gave him 
strength in after years. To Boscawen he came to begin the busi- 
ness of life : from it he went forth, with the impress of its civili- 
zation upon him, to enter upon his great career. 

To the same faithful teacher and pastor came Ezekiel Webster 
to prepare for college. He made Boscawen his home, lighting his 
torch at that fire kindled seventy years before by those men and 
women, who, in their poverty and feebleness, estimating their 
moral and spiritual welfare as of greater moment than all things 
else, reared their meeting-house and established a church. 

Not only these two men, but those other distinguished men, 
whose names are recorded in this volume, who have left their 
mark upon the age, are the natural outgrowth of the seed sown 
by those first settlers of Boscawen, who obtained a learned min- 
ister from Harvard college as their teacher in moral and spirit- 
ual things. 

The reader will be interested to see how the influence of that 
act, like a river, having its source in an ever-flowing fountain, has 
broadened and deepened ; how it has fertilized the nation ; how 
the forces brought into action by those self-denying men and 
women have been felt in the pulpit, the forum, the university ; in 
the legislative halls of states and of the nation; in diplomacy; in 
finance ; in the founding of churches and the establishment of Sun- 
day-schools ; in education, science, journalism, authorship; in* the 
moulding of public opinion ; in missionary effort, — felt to-day not 



Xvi PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 

only iu the United States, but in Asia and Africa ! Would Jacob 
Little have stamped the impress of his religious character upon the 
churches of Ohio, if there had been no church in Boscawen dur- 
ing those early years ? Would Henry Little have been such an 
organizer of Sunday-schools and churches throughout the West, if 
Rev. Phineas Stevens had not been ordained pastor of the little 
chutch in the Contoocook wilderness ? Would Henry 8. G. French 
have gone a missionary to Siam, or Myron Pinkerton to South 
Africa, if Joseph Gerrish, Joseph Coffin, Jacob Flanders, and 
their fellow proprietors, had not reared that first meeting-house? 
Did the life-work of Phineas Stevens, Dea. George Jackman, and 
godly Joanna Hale Gerrish die out in their generation ? " Blessed 
are the dead who die in the Lord, * * * and their works do 
follow them." 

The reader of these pages will have occasion often to recall the 
words of Jacob Little to his beloved pastor, Rev. Ebenezer Price 
(p. 434): " Mr. Price, you will never die. What you have taught, 
by precept and example, is spreading wider and wider, and going 
on to the third generation, and will keep going." 

Rev. Phineas Stevens, Rev. Samuel Wood, Rev. Ebenezer Price, 
Rev. Edward Buxton, and all who have labored for the moral and 
spiritual welfare of the communitj', are living on in the labors of 
those whose lives and characters have been moulded by their in- 
structions. Institutions that have their origin in the moral and 
spiritual needs of men live forever. The first rude meeting-house 
disappeared ; the second was licked up by the flames four score 
years ago, — but the church lives on. Rev. Phineas Stevens is 
preaching still. How far that little candle, lighted by the Chris- 
tian men and women of Contoocook, throws its beams ! How, as 
the years roll on, it will burn with ever increasing briglitness ! 

Not only the white light of a spiritual life, but the pure flame 
of patriotic devotion. The little log meeting-house was loop- 
holed for defence. The settlers worshipped with their rifles by 
their sides. Rev. Phineas Stevens marched with his flock in pur- 
suit of the savage. No Indian war-whoop blanched the cheeks 
of Andrew Bohonnon, Moses Burbank, Nathaniel and William 
Danforth, on that day when Enos Bishop was captured within 
sight of the meeting-house, nor when Thomas Cook and Ctesar 
were shot down at Clay hill. The settlers of Hopkinton, Warner, 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. XVU 

and Salisbury might abandon their homes, but they would not. 
Who can measure the influence of that courage upon those who 
came after them ? If they had been pusillanimous then, would 
Lieut. Samuel Atkinson, David Burbank, Edmund Chadwick, Asa 
Corser, David Flanders, and their comrades have stood like a wall 
of adamant at Bunker Hill ? would Capt. Peter Kimball and his 
soldiers have stormed the heights at Bennington ? would John 
Adams Dix, a century later, by a single stroke of the pen, have 
thrilled the country with patriotic fervor, — "^ any man attempts 
to haul doxon the American flag, shoot him on the spot " f 

Men die, generations come and go, but teachings, examples, and 
principles live. So the unflinching bravery of 1746-1760, after a 
century had rolled away, bloomed anew in 1860 for the preserva- 
tion of the republic. 

This volume is a simple recital of hardships, sufferings, and pri- 
vations ; of courage and endurance ; of the principles and progress 
of a rural community. It is no ignoble record, for, numbered 
among the citizens of Boscawen, are those who have sent their 
names down the advancing centuries. It is a memorial which 
will be of ever-increasing value as the years go by, which will be 
an heirloom to other generations ; for through it the citizens of 
Boscawen will connect themselves with those whom the world has 
recognized as worthy of all honor. 

In all ages there has been a desire among men to associate 
themselves with the great and good, thus manifesting their capac- 
ity and longing for immortality : for greatness and goodness are 
eternal in their nature, and men possessing them can never die. 

Said Daniel AVebster, standing on Plymouth rock, in 1S20, — 
" By ascending to an association with our ancestors ; \>^ con- 
templating their example, and studying their character ; by jjar- 
taking their sentiments and imbibing their spirit ; by accom- 
panying them in their toils; by sympathizing in their sufferings, 
and rejoicing in their successes and their triumphs, — we seem to 
belong to their age, and to mingle our existence with theirs. * * 
Next to the sense of religious duty and moral feeling, I hardly 
know what should bear with stronger obligation on a liberal and 
enlightened mind than a consciousness of alliance with excellence 
which is departed, and a consciousness, too, that in its acts and 
conduct, and even in its sentiments and thoughts, it may be 
II 



XVlll PRELIMINARY CHAPTER, 

actively operating on the hapjiiness of those who come after 
it." 

So the great orator recognized the aspiration of the liuman 
race to associate itself with departed greatness. To be born 
where great men have had their nativity, or where they have 
lived, is, as it were, a patent of nobility. 

"And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in 
her : and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall 
count, when he writeth np the people, that this man was born 
there." 

So the poet king of Israel sets forth the inherent nobility that 
comes from such a nativity. And the writer of the Epistle to the 
Hebrews takes up the theme, and pictures the exaltation that 
comes to the citizens of the commonwealth of Israel through those 
who "subdued kingdoms, and wrought righteousness." 

This desire for an alliance with the great and good is one of 
the mightiest motives for human action. Over burning sands the 
weary pilgrim of the Orient wends his way, that he may bow in 
adoration before the tomb of Mahomet, and so prepare himself for 
the pleasures of Paradise. The church of Rome, recognizing this 
aspiration of the human race, canonizes its saints, and exhibits its 
multitudinous relics, investing them with power to heal disease, 
preserve from harm, or to save from sin. Is there any other 
force that can so stir the human heart ? " Soldiers of France ! 
four thousand years look down upon you." So Bonaparte ad- 
dressed his soldiers, and in that one sentence lay enfolded, as it 
were, the victory of the battle of the Pyramids, At Plymouth 
rock, at Bunker Hill, at Gettysburg, or wherever men have made 
great sacrifices for their fellow-men, our longing for immortality 
is kindled anew ; — so through their devotion are we lifted to a 
higher plane of existence. 

In this volume no attempt has been made to measure the value 
of services rendered. Omnipotence alone can gather up results. 
Plain and simple the record, but the sons and daughters of the 
good old town, perusing it, shall say, — God bless her in the 

FUTURE AS He has BLEST HER IN THE PAST ! 



LOCALITIES IN BOSCAWEN. XIX 



LOCALITIES IN BOSCAWEN. 

KING STREET. 

The first settlers of Contoocook manifested their loyalty to their sov- 
erign by calling the street on which they erected their meeting-house, 
" King street." In time it began to go by the name of " The Plain." 
As laid out by the surveyor, it extended from the small brook emptying 
into the pond at the southerly end, called " Town House brook" in the 
records, to the "Hollow," through which flows "Mill brook." For a 
half century or more it has been known as Boscawen Plain. It was 
laid out wide and straight, with house lots on each side. 

QUEEN STREET. 

This street, leading west from King street, was the second one laid 
out by Mr. Brown. 

MARLBOROUGH STREET. 

The third street laid out by Mr. Brown ran from Queen street north, 
parallel with King street, extending also to the " Hollow." The set- 
tlers named it in honor of the Duke of Marlborough. It was on the 
west side of the " Mountain," and crossed the present travelled road at 
the top of the hill east of "Cold brook." In the records it is sometimes 
written Mulbury street. A century ago it was probably quite as much 
of a thoroughfare as King street. 

THE HOLLOW. 

There is a deep ravine at the northern end of King street, through 
which flows Mill brook, upon which the first mill was erected. The 
locality is known as '' The Hollow," sometimes as " The Valley of Indus- 
try," from the number of industrial pursuits carried on there. Forty 
years ago it was familiarly known as " Sodom." Why so called is not 
known, but certainly not for any extraordinary and special wickedness 
of the dwellers therein, whose reputation for honesty and sobriety has 
never been called in question. 

THE MOUNTAIN. 

The hill west of the Plain has received the name of " The Mountain." 
From the highest point, the Indians, during the first French and Indian 
war, were accustomed to look down upon the garrison, and watch for 
opportunities to capture incautious settlers. On its highest summit the 



XX LOCALITIES IN BOSCAWEN, 

students of the academy, about 1830, erected a stone platform, where 
they used to rehearse their declamations, sending forth incipient oratory 
for the benefit of the inhabitants and travellers on the street below. 

FISII STREET. 

The road extending from the Hollow to Franklin received the name 
of Fish street in 1738. How far north it was laid by Mr. Brown at 
that time is unknown, but it was extended to Salisbury on the petition 
of John Sergent soon after [see Hist.]. 

THE TURNPIKE. 

The highway, beginning at the bridge across the Merrimack known 
as Boscawen bridge, and extending to Salisbury, was made a part of 
the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike, in the charter of that corpora- 
tion : hence its name. 

THE TOLL-GATE. 

One of the toll-gates of the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike was 
located at the top of the hill east of Cold brook. The toll-house is still 
standing. 

THE GULF. 

The deep ravine through which Cold brook flows was known as " The 
Gulf" by the first settlers, as appears from its frequent mention in the 
records, and has ever since been so called. 

CLAY HILL. 

The north bank of the Gulf is a compact bed of clay, which was re- 
served by the Proprietors as common land for the use of the settlers, 
and has always been called " Clay hill." 

HIGH STREET. 

The section of highway extending from the late residence of Col. 
Enoch Gerrish to Salisbury line was laid out by John Brown, and was 
appropriately named " High street." 

WOODBURY PLAIN. 

The small but level section of land a half mile west of the Gulf and 
east of the cemetery was the site selected by Mr. Ephraim Woodbury, 
an early settler, for his home, and hence became known as the Wood- 
bury Plain. The clay deposit shows itself upon the eastern border of 
the plain, and bricks were at one time manufactured there. 



LOCALITIES IN BOSCAWEN. XXI 



WATER STREET. 



The highway extending from the easterly end of Great pond to Salis- 
bury, parallel with High street, was laid out by John Brown, and 
named Water street. 



EEL STREET. 



The street from the hotel kept by Capt. John Chandler to Boscawen 
bridge was called Eel street. In the autumn large quantities of eels 
were caught there, in pots set near the mills. Recently it has been 
called Commercial street. 



duston's island. 



At the junction of the Contoocook with the Merrimack is a small 
island, wholly in Boscawen, which was the scene of the heroic deed of 
Hannah Duston and Mary Neff, in delivering themselves of their Indian 
captors. The island is now crossed by the Northern Railroad ; and 
upon it is the monument erected to commemorate Mrs. Duston's achieve- 
ment. 



STIRRUP-IRON BROOK. 



Tradition has it, that many years ago a stirrup iron, lost by Gen. 
Henry Dearborn, of Revolutionary fame, a general in the War of 1812, 
while on a visit to a sister in Salisbury, gave a name to the stream which 
has its source among the Salisbury hills, and which empties into the 
Merrimack at North Boscawen. 



INDIAN BRIDGE. 



The bridge across Stirrup-Iron brook bears this name in Rev. Mr. 
Price's history of Boscawen, so named from the killing of Sabbatis and 
Plansawa by Bowen a few rods north of the locality. 



LOWER INTERVALE. 



The intervale lands in the bend of the river, above the junction of the 
MArimack and Contoocok, were called by the first settlers the Lower 
Intervale lots. 



MIDDLE INTERVALE. 



The wide reach of lands above the Lower Intervale and Canterbury 
bridge is put down upon the first survey of the town by John Brown 
as the Middle Intervale. 



XXU LOCALITIES IN WEBSTER. 

UPPER INTERVALE. 

The land in the bend extending from the mouth of Mill brook to the 
small pond east of the HoIIoav is recorded on Surveyor Brown's map as 
the Upper Intervale. 

MUCHYEDO. 

On the east side of the Merrimack, in Canterbury, is a high sand- 
bank, which is a conspicuous landmark from the summit of Kearsarge 
mountain. Although not in Boscawen, occasional mention is made of 
it. There are various traditions relative to the origin of the name, — 
one, that an Indian, speaking broken English, exclaimed, — "Much-ye- 
do to climb it." 



LOCALITIES IN WEBSTER. 



CORSEK HILL. 



The long and high swell of land upon which the Congregational meet- 
ing-house stands bears the name of the settler David Corser, who pur- 
chased a large tract of land upon it, and erected the first franled house 
v/est of Beaver dam. 

fowler's plain. 

The level plat ©f land east of Corser hill and west of Beaver dam was 
so named from the settler Lemuel Fowler, who lived near Beaver Dam 
brook. It was originally covered with Norway pines, and in the rec- 
ords is sometimes called Norway plain. From tlie beginning of the 
century to 1816, many regimental musters were held there. 

LITTLE BROOK. 

The small brook west of Beaver dam, having its rise near Salisbury 
line and flowing into Couch pond, has long borne the name of "Little 
brook." • 

cook's hill. 

The rounded eminence north of Corser hill has borne the name of 
Cook's hill since 1745, when Thomas Cook built his log cabin near it, 
which probably was the first house erected in what is now the town of 
Webster. He was killed the next year by the Indians at Clay hill. 




./' 



-i/ 




LOCALITIES IN WEBSTER. XXlll 



MUTTON ROAD. 



The road leading from Corser hill to Salisbury south village was laid 
out to enable the residents of Salisbury to reach Hopkinton, which 
prior to 1823 was one of the shire towns of Hillsborough county. 
It received the name of Mutton road, from the fact that some per- 
sons had been in the habit of helping themselves to mutton which 
did not belong to them, from the flocks of sheep in the pastures 
through which the road was located. 

PLEASANT STRRET. 

The highway leading south from INIutton road was laid out by the 
first surveyor of town lots, — John Brown, — and was named Pleasant 
street by the first settlers. 

DINGIT CORNER. 

The junction of several roads near the great bend of Blackwater 
river bears the name of Dingit corner, — so named, according to tradi- 
tion, from a little domestic turmoil. A settler lived near the local- 
ity. One day there was a difference of opinion between himself 
and wife ; and the latter seized a skillet to use as an argument 
in the case, but hesitated about throwing it. The husband, probably 
not having any great fear of the skillet, cried out, — " Ding it! ding it!" 
Hence the name. 

BATTLE STREET. 

The road leading from Corser hill north to Salisbury, w^est of Cook's 
hill, was one of the original highways laid out by the proprietors, and 
was named by them " Battle street." 

LITTLE HILL. 

Mr. Enoch Little, an early I'esident of what is now Webster, located 
on the swell of land west of Blackwater, in the north-west section of 
the town, and his sons settled around him, giving a name to the 
locality. 

WEST NEWBURY STREET. 

The highway leading north over Little hill was laid out by the pro- 
prietors, who named it '' West Newbury street," probably because it 
was the most westerly highway in the division of lots, and also to keep 
in remembrance their former home in Newbury. 



XXIV LOCALITIES IN WEBSTER, 

LONG POND. 

This pond, in Webster, is nearly two miles long, and from one half 
to three fourths of a mile wide ;— hence the appropriateness of the name. 

WHITE PLAIN. 

The etymology of the name is unknown. It is applied to the valley 
through which flows the stream issuing from Long pond westward to 
Warner river! 



The region west of Little hill is known to the inhabitants of Webster 
as " Dublin." A citizen of Irish descent once lived there, and hence the 
name of the capital of Ireland. 

POND HILL. 

The high swell of land west of Long pond. 



The south-western section of the town was covered with a dense 
forest growth. There were so many great red and white oak trees, 
that Dea. Enoch Little, St., thought it was worthy of bearing the 
biblical name of " Bashan," the country east of the Jordan, renowned 
for its oaks, mentioned in Zech. 11 -.2: " Howl, O ye oaks of Bashan." 
The name thus given has remained to the present time. 

RATTLESNAKE HILL. 

Webster, in common with many other towns, has its " Rattlesnake 
hill," the highest hill in Bashan. When the first settlers erected their 
homes in that section, it was the haunt of rattlesnakes. Mr. Moses 
Gerrish, on one occasion, killed forty in one day. The hearts of rattle- 
snakes were regarded as a specific for the cure of consumption in those 
days, and Mr. Gerrish was employed by the Shakers to hunt the 
reptiles. 

KNIGHT MEADOW BROOK. 

The brook which runs south, west of Little hill, from Tucker's pond) 
in Salisbury, to the stream issuing from Long pond. 



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LOCALITIES. 



LOCALITIES UPON THE LINE BETWEEN I30SCAWEN 
AND WEBSTER. 

LONG STREKT. 

Freriuent mention is made, in the records, of " Long street." It is 
the highway leading from High street, in Boscawen, to Corscr hill, 
and from thence by ^Vhite plain to Warner. 

BEAVER DAM. 

The stream, which has its source in Salisbm-y, and which flows into 
Couch pond, has been made the dividing line between Boscawen and 
Webster. It was a favorite haunt of beavers, whose dams may still be 



POND BROOK. 

The brook south of Couch pond, running to Great pond, and from 
Great pond to the Contoocook river, bears the name of " Pond brook." 

GREAT POND. 

The name, undoubtedly, was given to this sheet of water by the 
first settlers, as it occurs in Abner dough's journal, 1754, an extract 
from which will be found in the historical section. It lies half in Web- 
ster and half in Boscawen. 

COUCH POND. 

This is the small pond north of Great pond. 



OOEEECTIOES 



Tt is almost certain that in the preparation and printing of 
books there will be mistakes. In a town history, errors are un- 
avoidable. Some statements will need revision ; wrong dates will 
be given ; there will be errors in copying and in proof-reading. 
This volume is no exception to the general rule. Owing to the 
absence of the compiler while the sheets were passing through the 
press, there are some errors which might have been corrected in 
the proof had the pages passed under his final revision. The 
mistakes, however, are generally unimportant. The corrections 
given below are placed at the beginning of the volume in order 
that the reader may see what they are before reading. It is rec- 
ommended that a * be made at the outset, with a pen, in the 
margin of the page, against the corrections. kSucIi a mark will 
direct the attention to the proper reading. 

Page 42. '' Cajit. Daniel Todd, of Exeter," should read Daniel 
Ladd. 

Page 48. "The nearest grist-mill * * * -was situated at 
Millville," should read xoas situated at West Concord. The 
later information has been obtained from Simeon Abbot, of Con- 
cord. 

Page 132. "Carding and fulling mills were established in 
every town." It is a misstatement. Carding at that date, 1786, 
was done wholly by hand. There was no carding by machinery 
in Boscawen, probably, till about twenty years later. Machine- 
carding was not invented till about the beginning of the century. 
Cloth-dressing was a, distinct occupation. Dea. Isaac Pearson 
only dressed cloth. 



XXVlll CORRECTIONS. 

Page 135. "Dwiglit corner" should read Dingit corner. 

Page 152. In the protest of Silas Call, the first '' profession," 
although existing in the original document, is evidently a clerical 
error, and should he stricken out. 

Page 174. In last line, " foot-stones " should read foot-stoves. 

Page 208. The regiment of U. S. soldiers passing through the 
town should be recorded under date of 1845. 

Page 225. " Eesolved that * * * passed 18 May, 1877," 
should read 1876. 

Page 273. "Abraham Burbank, its first commander," should 
read second commander. 

Page 278. " Thurber, Joseph," should read Thurher, Joseph B. 

Page 309. " Born in Newbury, 3 June, 0. S. 1712," should 
read 22 January, 1711. 

Page 310. " He married Elizabeth Chase," should read 3Iar- 
tha Chase. 

Page 324. "■ Mrs. Lois Jewett," should read Miss Lois Jewett ; 
and " Mrs. Louisa Jane Dix Pillsbury," should read Mrs. Louisa 
F'rances Dix Pillsbury. 

Page 369. "A telegraph wire with a case or covering of iron 
or steel," should read a steel wire covered with copper. 

Page 399. " Kimball, Benj. T. * * * He died 9 July, 
1852," should read 2 July, 1852. 

Page 400. " Kimball, Peter, was born 25 May, 1817," should 
read 25 March, 1817. 

Page 408. " Little, Enoch, Dea., 2d, =* * was born 1804," 
should read 1802. 

Page 427. " Pearson, Nathan. * * He died 8 Oct., 1868," 
should read 12 Oct., 1868. 

Page 429. "Pillsbury, Joseph L., Col. * * He died 10 
Jan., 1874," should read 1873. 

Page 431. Instead of " Lucy Farrer," read Lucy Farrar. 

Page 432. " Ebenezer Sewell Price," should read Ebenezer 
Sewall Price. 

Page 437. " Stone, Peter, * * 19 Dec, 1799," should read 
11 Dec, 1799. 



CORRECTIONS. XXIX 

Page 455. '^ His widow married Prof. Guthrie, of Marietta 
college," should read JRev. Geo. H. Wliipple., of Oherlin. 

Page 462. " Jabez* (Janies,^ William,^ George'^)," should read 
Jabez^ ( Thomas^ Thomas^ George}-). 

Page 604. '' Rev. Zerah H. Hawley," should read Rev. Z. K. 
Ilaioley. 

Page 615. After " Stone, Frederic P.," insert m. Lovilla San- 
horn. 

Page 638. Mills — " one near the residence of Joseph Burpee," 
should read 07i Beaver-dam hrooJc. The mill near Mr. Burpee's 
was not erected till a later date, by Capt. Abraham Burhank. 
That on Beaver dam was near Salisbury line, and was owned by 
Daniel Pillsbury. 

Page 650. Wolf— "shot by Samuel Call," should read by 
Lemuel Gall. 



HISTORY OF BOSOAWEN. 




CUA^j^ ^i^tt^ 




1729.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



OHAPTEE I. 

THE PLANTATION OF CONTOOCOOK. 

^^HE first movement for the settlement of the territory em- 
^S^ braced in the present towns of Boscawen and Webster was 
inaugurated in 1729, by citizens of Andover, Bradford, Reading, and 
Woburn, in Massachusetts. The phantatiou of Penacook (Concord) 
had just begun. It was known that there was a desirable tract 
of land immediately north of Penacook, west of the Merrimack. 
Many of the citizens of Andover, especially the Abbotts and 
Ballards, were interested in the Penacook plantation, and took 
measures to secure the adjoining tract. The first meeting was 
held in Andover, Peb. 25, 1729, at the house of Jeremiah Bal- 
lard. James Johnson was chosen moderator, and Thomas Abbot 
clerk. At an adjourned meeting, held March 18, a committee was 
chosen to view the land. The committee obtained a pilot, visited 
the locality, and reported at a meeting held May 20th. Pifty- 
three citizens of Andover, twenty-seven from Bradford, t^venty 
from Eeading and Woburn — one hundred in all — signed a peti- 
tion to the Great and General Court for the granting of '' Land 
Laying on Marymeck Eever Begining at Pennacuck Upper Line 
and so run eight mile up y^ Rever and Three Mile on y^ Est & 
Pour Mile on y^ West side of s*^ Eever." The petitioners were 
unsuccessful in their application. A possible reason for their 
failure may have been the fact that many of the grantees of Pen- 
acook were from Andover, and the members of the General Court 
may have thought it not best to bestow a second grant upon the 



2 CIVIL HISTORY. [1732. 

citizens of that town. Other towns were apjilying for grants. 
There was a movement in all the sea-coast towns towards the 
frontier to obtain new lands. The young men were ready to 
brave the dangers and hardships of frontier life, for the sake of 
obtaining lands which in a few years might be as valuable as the 
old homesteads. Others, who were more advanced in life, with 
children growing to maturity, were ready to dispose of their 
farms by the sea to obtain the fertile lands of the Merrimack 
valley, where their sons and daughters could secure their future 
homes. 

But how happened it that Massachusetts exercised jurisdiction 
over the lands now comprised in New Hampshire ? A complete 
answer is to be found only in a study of the conflicting claims of 
Capt. John Mason, Sir Perdinando Gorges, the Plymouth, Massa- 
chusetts, and Laconia grants. Suffice it to say, that Massachu- 
setts claimed jurisdiction of all lands west of the Merrimack, and 
continued its exercise of authority till the final establishment, by 
royal commission in 1740, of the present boundaries. 

NEWBURY PETITIONERS. 

In 1732, John Coffin and eighty other citizens of Newbury pe- 
titioned the General Court of Massachusetts Bay for " a grant of 
land, situated on the west side of the Merrimack, adjoining Pen- 
acook plantation." The petition was duly considered, and order 
issued in relation to a survey of the tract, and setting forth the 
conditions of the grant as follows : 

" Ordered that there be and hereby is granted to the petitioners a 
tract of land seven miles square at the place petitioned for on the west 
side of Merrimack river, to be laid out by a surveyor and chain men 
on oath, a plan thereof to be presented to this court at their next May 
session for confirmation. The lands to be by them settled on the con- 
ditions following viz: 

" That within the space of four years from the confirmation of this 
plan they settle and have on the spot eighty-one families, each settler 
to build a convenient dwelling house, one story high eighteen feet 
square at least, and fence and clear, and bring to four acres fit for im- 
provement and three acres more well stocked with English grass; and 
also lay out three shares throughout the town, each share to be one 
eighty-fourth part of said tract of land, one of said shares to be for 



1733.] CIVIL HISTORY. 3 

the first settled minister, one for the ministry, and one for school; and 
also to build a convenient meeting house and settle a learned and or- 
thodox minister within the time aforesaid." 

The order was issued Dec. 8, 1732. The grantees at once pro- 
ceeded to locate the land. 

On the 6th of June, the following year, the plot was confirmed 
by the General Court, with tlie boundaries thus described, 

THE GRANT. 

" Province of Massachusetts Bay : 
'' A plot of township of land granted at [by] the Court to John 
Coffin and others lying on Merrimack river above Penacook, surveyed 
by Kichard Hazen and two chainmen on oath being bounded as follows: 
viz ; — beginning at the middle of Contoocook river, where it empties 
into the Merrimack, where it joins the Penacook Plantation, thence 
running west 15° South adjoining Penacook line, four miles to a white 
pine tree, marked for Penacook corner bound; thence further on the 
same line three miles and eight poles to a Norway pine marked for the 
corner bounds; thence turned at eight angles and running North 15° 
west seven miles and eight poles to a crotched white birch lettered and 
standing on the south east side of a hill which is the Northwest corner; 
thence turned at right angles and run east 15 deg north, near seven 
miles and a half to a white oak and two white pines marked, by Merri- 
mack river, and by said river as it runs to Contoocook river to the 
place where it first began. 

"In the House of Representatives, Read, and voted that this plot be 
accepted; and that the lands within delineated and described be and 
hereby are confirmed to the within named John Coffin, Joseph Dole 
and other petitioners their heirs and assigns forever, they complying 
with the orders and conditions in the grant on their petition in De- 
cember last, provided this plot does not contain more than the contents 
of seven miles square nor interfere with any other former grant. 

" Consented to, 

" J. Bklcher. 
"A true copy, as among the proceedings of the general court on the 
6th of June 1733, p. 394. 

" Attest Alden Bradford 

" Secretary of the Commonwealth." 

THE FIRST MEETING OF THE PROPRIETORS. 

The first meeting of the proprietors was called by John Coffin, 
and was held at the house of Archelaus Adams, in Newbury, on 
the 2'! of May, 1733. 



4 CIVIL HISTORY. [1733. 

" Meeting May y" 2. 

*' The proprietors as grantees of the plantation lately made & 
granted by the great and General Court of his Majestys province of the 
Massachusetts bay in New England of a tract of land seven miles 
square above Penecook on the west side of Merrimack river, John Cof- 
fin by virtue of an order to him directed from the above said great and 
General Court did warn and give Notice to ye grantees of the above 
said plantation to assemble and meet at the bouse of Mr Arclielaus 
Adams in Newbury to chuse a moderator and clerk and to make such 
needful orders and rules as may be propper and needful to bring for- 
ward the settlement of said plantation according to ye said courts di- 
rections; and according to said warning we met at said Adams house 
on the 2 day of May 1733. 

" Lieut George little was chosen moderator for said meeting. 

"Joseph CofBn was chosen clerk for the above s'^ Grantees and was 
sworn then to the faithfull discharge of his office by richard Kent jus- 
tice of the peace. 

" Joseph Gerrish Esq, "William Tlsly, John Coffin, Joshua Noyes, & 
Tristram little, were chosen a committee to take a plan of the planta- 
tion aforesaid & make return of their doings to the above s'l great 
and general Court and the committee were all so impowered to warn 
a meeting of s'^ grantees as they should judge needful. 

" Mr Daniel Hale was chosen treasurer for said proprietors. 

" Mr John Weed was chosen collector for said proprietors. 

^'' Voted that the proprietors of the aforesaid plantation shall pay 
five pounds a piece towards the laying out and settling the aforesaid 
plantation &c. This was put to vote by the moderator & it passed on 
the affirmative. 

Voted that the aforesaid committee (viz) Joseph Gerrish Esq, Will- 
iam Ilsley, John Coffin, Tristram Little, Joseph Noyes shall have power 
to draw the money from Mr Daniel Hale aforesaid Treasurer to pay 
the necessary charges that the said proprietors shall be at in bringing 
forward the settlement of said plantation this put to vote by the mod- 
erator and passed on the affirmative." 

WHAT WAS KNOWN IN REGARD TO THE LAND. 

The Merrimack valley was well known. As earl}^ as 1628, a 
century previous, an exploring party was sent out by Massachu- 
setts to discover the source of the Merrimack, which ascended to 
Penacook, if not farther. In 1652, the General Court of Massachu- 
setts ordered a survey of the northern boundary of the colou3\ 
The survey was conducted by Edward Johnson and Simon Wil- 



1733.] CIVIL HISTORY. 6 

lard, commissioners, and John Sherman, of Watertown, and Jona- 
than Ince, of Cambridge, surveyors, with Indian guides. They 
ascended the Merrimack river to Lake Winnipesaukee. John 
Endicott was at that time governor of Massachusetts. The com- 
missioners left a record of their visit upon a large rock at the 
outlet of the lake. The inscription was discovered in 1834, and 
is as follows : 

EI SW 

W P I H N 

ENDIC VT 

GOV 

At that period one character represented the letters I and J. 
V and U were also represented by one character. The inscrip- 
tion therefore represents the initials of the commissioners, 
Edward Johnson and Simon WiUard, and also Worshipful John 
Endicott. 

The party ascended the Merrimack in a " bote," and were ab- 
sent nineteen days. The expense of the expedition was £84. 

A few years later, Richard Waldron, of Dover, traded with the 
Indians in the vicinity of Penacook. In 1675, at the time of 
King Phillip's war, Capt. Mosely, with about one hundred men, 
ascended the Merrimack to keep the Penacooks quiet. In 1668, 
Mr. Thomas Hinksman, with others, under a warrant from Gov. 
Bellingham, ascended the river to Waldron's trading-house, which 
stood on the east side of the Merrimack, in Concord, to capture an 
Indian who had killed a white man. 

The first historic event within the limits of Boscawen was the 
killing of the Indians, in 1697, by Mrs. Hannah Duston, Mrs. Mary 
Neff, and Samuel Lannardson. 

MRS. DUSTOI^'S EXPLOIT. 

On March 15, of that year, a party of twenty Indians made a 
descent upon Haverhill. The first house attacked was that of 
Thomas Duston, who was at work in his field. Hearing the war- 
whoop of the Indians, he ran into the house, and ordered his 
children, seven in number, to flee. Mrs. Duston was sick, having 
given birth to a child the week previous. She was attended by 



6 CIVIL HISTORY. [1733. 

Maiy Neff, a woman in middle life. Finding it impossible to 
remove his wife and infant, he left them with the nnrse, monnted 
his horse, and overtook his children. His first thought was, to 
take two or three of them on his horse, and leave the others to 
their fate. But he could make no choice where all were equally 
dear, and resolved to do wha.t he could to save them all. Dis- 
mounting from his horse, standing behind the animal, or shelter- 
ing himself behind a tree, firing with deliberate aim, he kept the 
j)ursuers at bay while the children ran ; then springing uj)on the 
back of the horse, hastened to overtake his family, with the bul- 
lets of the savages flying past him. Upon overtaking them he 
dismounted once more, loaded his gun, and awaited the approach 
of the enemy, who were exceedingly wary in their advance, skulk- 
ing behind trees. Again he fired, and then galloped away, — thus 
defending the children till they reached a place of safety. 

A portion only of the Indians followed Mr. Duston ; the others 
entered the house, took Mrs. Duston and Mrs. Neff prisoners, 
dashed out the brains of the infant against a tree, and fired the 
house. 

Nine other houses were set on fire, twenty-seven pei'sons killed, 
and eleven, besides Mrs. Duston and Mrs. iSTeff, Avere captured. 
It was the middle of March. In the woods there was still much 
snow; the streams were swollen Avith its melting; and yet, with but 
one shoe, Mrs. Duston was driven at a quick pace by the savages. 
Her feet were torn, her steps marked with blood. Soon her fel- 
low captives began to tire ; but as soon as they lagged behind, a 
tomahawk was buried in their skulls, the scalping-knif e encircled 
their brows, and their bodies were left by the way. 

The route taken by the Indians was up the valley of the Mer- 
rimack, to their canoes. It is not known where the Indians had 
deposited them ; but the liardships of the march were so great, 
that, before reaching them, all the Haverhill captives, except Mrs. 
Duston and Mrs. Neff, had perished. They found a boy, Samuel 
Lannardson, of Worcester, who had been more than a year in 
their hands, still a captive. He had acquired the Indian language. 
It is probable that on the third day the Indians reached their 
general rendezvous — the island at the junction of the Merrimack 
and Contoocook, a favorite resort ; for at the falls of Contoocook, 
near by, they could supply themselves with salmon, while the 



1733.] CIVIL HISTORY. 7 

open spaces on the intervale, opposite " Mucliyecln," were favorite 
feeding-grounds for deer. 

It appears that after leaving their captives on tlie island, the 
Indians, with the exception of twelve, departed on a second ma- 
rauding expedition. The thought of being carried a captive to 
Canada, of enduring the hardships of the march, of the almost 
certain fate that would await her, aroused all the heroic nature 
of the woman who had seen her child's brains dashed out against 
a tree. Death would be preferable to life. She would strike 
boldly for life and liberty. She laid her plan with deliberation. 
"Ask them where they strike when they want to kill a person 
instantly," said Mrs. Duston to the boy Lannardson. " Strike 
'em here," said one of the savages, in answer to the question 
artlessly put by the lad. The Indian placed his finger on his 
temple. Little did he think that his own hatchet would be bur- 
ied in his own skull by the keen-eyed woman who was watching 
his ever}'- movement. Then the savage showed the boy how to 
run a knife around a person's head, and hoAV to strip off the 
scalp : all of which the resolute woman noticed. She informs 
Mrs. Neff and the boy of her plot, stimulates them by her heroic 
courage. Night comes. There are two men, three women, and 
seven children, all of them asleep. No one keeps watch of the 
captives. There is no danger of their attempting to escape. The 
birch canoes are drawn up beneath the alders. The three captives 
rise softly. Each seizes a tomahawk. Mrs. Duston and Mrs. Neff 
stand over the prostrate forms of the men. A signal, and the 
hatchets descend with almost superhuman strength, crushing 
through the skulls ; and then the women and children are dis- 
patched, all except two, who escape in the darkness. The pris- 
oners — ^prisoners no longer — gather up the provisions, take the 
guns of the Indians, scuttle all except one canoe, and take their 
departure down the Merrimack. A thought comes to the heroic 
woman. Will their friends believe them when they inform them 
that they have killed the Indians ? She will have indisputable 
evidence. A few strokes of the paddles bring them to the island. 
She runs the scalping-knife around the brows of the Indians, 
takes their scalps, and then starting once more, guides the canoe 
over the rippling waters at Sewall's falls, then floating on calmer 
waters to Garvin's, steering the bark canoe in safety down the 



8 CIVIL HISTORY. [1733. 

rapids, landing and carrying it when they dare not trust them- 
selves amid the whirlpools and sunken rocks, reaching Haverhill 
with her bloody trophies, to the astonishment of her friends. 

The General Court of Massachusetts voted her a present of fifty 
pounds, and many private citizens also presented her with testi- 
monials of their appreciation of her heroic conduct. 

Penacook was granted in 172G, and settled in 1727. The fer- 
tile lands of Contooeook were well known to the people of the 
lower towns. 

FIRST SURVEY. 

Mr. Eichard Hazen, an experienced surveyor, who had been 
employed by the proprietors of Penacook to survey that planta- 
tion, was engaged to make the first survey of Contooeook. The 
original plot, as laid by him, is on file in the archives of the sec- 
retary of state, Boston. 

proprietors' meeting. 

A meeting of the proprietors was held July 4 at John Man- 
cher's tavern, Newbury : 

" Voted Mr Richard Hazen surveyor, shall have ten pounds for his 
service for taking a plan of the plantation & the three clianmen that 
were with said surveyors, six days a pice, shall have six & thirty 
shillings a man for their service in assisting him, the said surveyor, this 
put to vote & passed in the affirmative 

^^ Voted that the committee namely Joseph Gerrish, William Ilsley, 
John Coffin, Tristram Little & Joseph Noyes, they being nine days 
with Mr Hazen in taking a plan of the aforesaid plantation shall 
have ten shillings a day each man for their service, this jjut to vote by 
the moderator & passed on the ffirmative. 

*' Col Joseph Gerrish, Lieut William Ilsley, Benj™ Pettengill, Daniel 
Pierce & John Weed jr were chosen a committee to lay out the home 
lots so called in the above tract of land put to vote & passed on the 
affirmative 

" That the aforesaid Committee chosen to lay out the home lots so 
called shall have power to lay out said lots & intervale lot to shares 
alike in quantity & Quality according to the best skill and judgment 
leaving a couveniency for highways & private ways this put to vote by 
the moderator & passed on the affirmative. 






-^ "i" ^1 ' r , , , ^'^ ^t 




*vr. Ci^ ^^>^ ^#:^-^.l 





^>^':y 



DUSTIN, NEFF. AND LEONARDSON 



1733.] CIVIL HISTORY. 9 

'''•Voted that the men that Col Gerrish shall or have admitted into our 
society may as he and they can agree draw tlieir lots with iis this put 
to vote by the moderator and passed on the affirmative." 

October 9th. 

A meeting was held on this daj^ at the house of Archelaus 
Adams in Newbury, at which John Coffin was added to the 
committee to lay out the home lots. The associates admitted 
by Col. Gerrish were accepted at that meeting, — viz., Col. John 
Alden, Samuel Beadford, James Alden, John Choat, Benjamin 
Bird, Ebenezer Burrill, Esq., Jeremiah Getchell, John Wain- 
wright, Esq., Richard Kent, Esq., John Chandler, Junior, Esq., 
Lieut. Moses Gerrish, Joseph Gerrish, Esq., Kichard Hubbard, 
Mr. Edward Shove, Mr. Henry Sewall, of Boston, Richard Coffin, 
Benjamin Pettingill, John Akers, Daniel Dole. 

The proprietors at this meeting took measures to laj' out the 
village, or " town " as it was called : 

''Voted: That these six men, namely, Moses Gerrish, Daniel Hale, 
Joseph Lunt, Jonathan Poor, Thomas Torla & Edward Emery may go 
up to Contoocook with the other Com'* & have the power to advise & 
consult as the other committee men have & the major part of them 
shall set the town where they shall Judge most convenient & these six 
men shall have twenty shillings a pice for their services." 

'■'■Voted, that any man or men belonging to the society aforesaid see 
cause to go to the said plantation on their own cost & charge they shall 
have power to advise with the committee in order to the setting of the 
town to the best advantage." 

The money in use at that time was undoubtedly the old curren.- 
cy of Massachusetts Bay. Each colony had its currency, its notes 
or bills of credit. As nearly as can be ascertained, the pound of 
Massachusetts at that time was worth about one dollar and thirty 
cents, and a shilling not far from six and one fourth cents of the 
present currency of the United States. 

At a meeting of the proprietors, held Nov. 20th, it was voted 
that Henry Eolfe draw lots for the proprietors. Five shillings 
was raised on each original right, to defray expenses. It was 
voted that all the intervale should be fenced in, the next spring, at 
the proprietors' cost. Thomas Thorla, John Coffin, and Jonathan 
Ilsley were appointed a committee to see that the fencing was 
seasonably completed. 



10 CIVIL HISTORY. [1733. 

Tlie committee for dividing tlie lands reported : 
" They have laid out five farms on the northerly side of Coutoocook, 
& the whole of said five farms are in breadth one hundred & seven 
rods two feet & five inches, running from the river Merrimack, unto 
the westerly end on line of s'' tract of land which is seven mile back 
from said river and also four farms on the southerly side of s'^ tract of 
land & the whole of said four farms are in breadth eighty six rods 
& running from Merrimack river to the westerly side of said tract of 
land which is seven miles from said river and the above said nine farms 
are for these gentlemen here under named, (viz) 

Ebenezer Burrell Esq ; John Wainright Esqr ; Kichard Kent Esqr ; 
M' Sanii Beadford ; John Chote Esqr ; Mr Edward Shove, M-" Beuja. 
Bird, Mr Jeremiah Gatchel, Mr Richard Hubbard" 

THE GEXTLEMEX'S FARMS. 

The tract of land thus set off to these nine gentlemen amounted 
to twenty-seven hundred acres, or three hundred acres to each in- 
dividual. The lots have always been known as " the gentlemen's 
farms." When we turn to the records of the Great and General 
Court of Massachusetts for the period, we find that Mr. John 
Wainwright was clerk of the General Court in 1731. He was well 
acquainted with legislative affairs, and doubtless Avas able to aid 
the petitioners for grants of land — for a consideration. His name 
appears as a proprietor in many of the tow^ns granted at this 
period. The other " gentlemen " wdio aided and assisted were 
members of the General Court, wdiich consisted of the Assembly 
and Council. John Chandler was a member of the Assembly. 
There was a lot of land, containing about five hundred acres, set 
off to him by the proprietors of Contoocook. The tract was one 
hundred and fifty rods wide, and extended from the INIerrimack 
westward two miles. The Stirrup Iron brook ran through it. The 
name of John Chandler appears in nearly every township granted 
while he was a member. But one conclusion can be drawn, — that 
the members of the General Court were, to use a modern phrase, 
"land-grabbers," and made use of the official position to advance 
their individual interests. 

All of the gentlemen who thus received large tracts of land 
were in some way connected with the government ; — nor was it 
considered a breach of trust thus to advance their individual 



1733.] CIVIL HISTORY. 



11 



interests. Such gifts were the perquisites of office, well understood, 
acknowledged, and acquiesced in by the entire community. 
No disgrace attached to a man who used his official position for 
his own interests. No investigating committees were appointed 
to inquire into such transactions. In later years. Gov. Benning 
Wentworth became one of the largest landed proprietors of the 
country, through the " gifts," or, to use a truer term, through the 
exactions which he imposed upon grantees upon signing the 
grants. 

In October, Mr. John Brown, surveyor, was employed to survey 
the intervale, which, being partially free from trees, furnished 
valuable mowing, pasture, and tillage lands. A lot was laid out 
to each proprietor. He laid out four streets on the high land, 
upon the site selected for the town— King, Queen, Newbury, and 
Marlborough — with a house-lot for each proprietor, a lot for the 
church, one for the school, and one for the minister. 

The proprietors manifested their loyalty to their sovereign by 
naming two of the streets for the king and queen, one for their 
home, Newbury, and one for the great Duke of Marlborough, 
then in the zenith of his fame. 

MR. brown's journal. 

" Oct 23d 1733. I set out for Contoocook with the committee who 
were to lay out ye Intervale & home lotts, who were Col Gerrish, W'" 
Ilsley, Benj^ Pettengale & Dan^ Peirce and also David Hale & Benj'' 
Willet, this proving a rainy day & setting out late we got no farther 
than 

2i " Being rainy we came to Pennycook. 

25 " We came to Contoocook & viewed ye land in order to find a 
place to settle ye Town ; there came also with us George & Puchard 
Jackraan. 

26. " We run lines between the Intervale & upland: this day came up 
Mr Moses Gerrish. 

27 " We viewed ye place to set ye Meeting House on & Eun out ye 
Highway to Lay Lotts on. Gerrish & Emery went Home. Ye rest 
■went to Pennycook settlement except Pierce & Myself. 

" Oct 26 being friday we measured up from Pennycook line 98 rods 
for 4 Lotts & one halfe to be left there from whence we had to the river 
62 rods E 15 North. Tlieuce between the upland & intervale we Laid 



12 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



[1733. 



a "Way running North 29 W 57 rods and on Said "Way from the 98 rods 
are laid the foUowins: Letts "V"iz: 



No 60 
61 
62 
63 
64 



which are in 
width on sd 
way running 
No 29 Deg West 



& in Length 
running down 
in to ye Intervale 
East 15 Deg No 
62 rods 



On the upper Line of 64"^ Lott is a way of one rod broad & on the 
end of the sd Lott & partly on the lower end of the Q3'^ until it comes 
to the 76"> Lott. 

No 



65 


are in width 


12 


& in length running 


66 


on a way 


12 


E 15 D N to the 78 


67 


running north 
1 D West 


12 


Lott 62 rods" 



THE HOME AND IXTERVALE LOTS. 

[From Surveyor Brown's Book.] 

** An account of the draft of the Intervale and home lots at Con- 
toocook which are as hereunder written, 



Intervale. 


home lots 




No 


51 


53 


73 


79 


72 


77 


70 


70 


69 


83 


52 


49 


82 


22 


44 


57 


47 


42 


71 


86 


58 


54 


42 


52 


67 


84 


67 


40 


48 


38 


21 


2 


61 


75 


62 


82 


27 


7 


20 


01 


33 


41 


76 


69 


93 


96 


89 


29 


80 


20 


29 


93 



Abraham Adams jr No 

Stephen Jaques 

Joseph Coffin 

Robert Greenough 

Joseph Moss jr 

Benja J>unt 

John Akers 

Daniel Richards 

Daniel Dole 

John Chandler Esq 

Joseph Tappan 

William Ilsley 

Jolin Adams •. 

John Alden 

Joseph Knight Jr 

James Mitchel 

Stephen Moody 

Benja Petengill 

Riciiard Jackman 

Richard Greenough 

Cornelas Wood 

Joseph Moss 3^^ 

Henry Sewell 

John Webster 

Joseph Gerrish Esq 

Sam' Bailey , 



1733.] 



CIVIL 



Benja Smith No 

Robert Adams 

Richard Kelly 

Samuel Gerrish 

John French Jr 

Joseph Jackman 

Nicholas Cheaay 

Joseph Willet 

Jacob Noyes 

John Poor 

Stephen Dole 

Moses Smith 

Cutting Lunt 

Jonathan Plumer 

Thomas Pierce 

,.Archelaus Woodman 

John Smith 

Isaac Hall 

Edward Emery 

Willoby Favor 

Jacob Pillsbury 

Stephen Emery 

Amos Stickney 

George Jackman 

Jonathan Sampson 

Richard Petengill 

Moses Gerrish 

Joseph Dole 

John Plumer jr 

Elezar Pierce 

Daniel Pierce 

Theodor Coker 

Joseph Gerrish 

Richard Coffin 

James Allen 

William Ripp 

Abraham Titcomb 

John Coffin 

John Waight 

William Moody 

John Moody jr 

Moses Knight 

Daniel Coffin 

Daniel Knight 

Moses Coker 

Edmund Greenlief 

Daniel Hale 

Henry Kingsbury 

Nathan Whelar 

Joshua Pillsbury 

Thomas Woodbridge 



HISTORY. 


Intervale. 


i3 

home lots. 


No 


39 
81 
7i 
85 
78 
16 
06 
31 
91 
68 
19 
60 
88 
40 
87 
31 
02 
23 
86 
01 
11 
32 
83 
53 
95 
14 
15 
84 
55 
43 
73 
36 
59 
08 
03 
90 
94 
09 
12 
92 
17 
45 
18 
79 
77 
04 
28 
22 
10 
07 
63 


No 
31 




21 




78 




25 




81 




65 




61 




34 




88 




71 




15 




76 




28 




50 




27 




95 




09 




59 




26 




08 




18 




40 




23 




32 




14 




66 




16 




46 




33 




55 




87 




35 




56 




62 




10 




30 




91 




13 




67 




89 




64 




58 




63 




19 




80 




11 




92 




03 




68 




12 




74 



14 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



[1733. 



Josej^h Noyes 3'^ No 

James INIorrill 

James Xoyes 

Thomas Webster 

Joshua Hale ■ . 

William Atkins 

George Little 

Jonathan Ilsley 

Richard Hale 

Sam' Sweatt jr 

Tristraum Little 

John Noyes S'^ 

John Weed j r 

Sam' Little 



Intervale. 


home lots. 




No 


38 


36 


13 


77 


37 


45 


05 


60 


49 


43 


65 


73 


30 


94 


84 


24 


50 


37 


41 


51 


66 


47 


64 


83 


5 


48 


46 


39 



" The aforesaid list was returned into the proprietors of Contoocook 
at their meeting on Nov the twentieth 1733, and was then excepted 
and ordered to be recorded. 

Joseph Gerrisii "] 

William Ilsley 



> 



johx coffix 
John Weed jr 
Benjamin Pettengill 
Daniel Pierce 

Committeemen. 



"Joseph Coffin 

Proprietors Clerk" 




J1 c^- c N c a-C^ % -cttc l^n 



1731.] 



CHAPTEE II. 

SETTLEMENT OF CONTOOCOOK. 

IflSr the spring of 1734, tlie proprietors of Contoocook made prep- 
^1 aration to comply with the conditions of tlieir grant. Those 
intending to settle in the plantation left their homes in April. 
The route was from Newbury to Haverhill, or Hampstead to Nut- 
field (Derry), thence to Amoskeag falls, and from thence, by tlie 
east side of the Merrimack, to Penacook ferry, which had been 
established 1731. [Hist. Concord, p. 101.] Another route, lead- 
ing from Newbury to Chester, thence to Pembroke, had been 
blazed through the woods in 1726, but the road through Derry 
was the one most travelled. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

During the year, thirty-three settlers came to Contoocook, to be- 
gin, as it were, life anew in the wilderness. Eev. Mr. Price has 
handed down the names of twenty-seven only ; but from a deposi- 
tion made by Moses Burbank in 1792 [Col. Henry Gerrish's pa- 
pers] the number is stated as being thirty-three. 

Barker, David Dagodon, William 

Bean, Sinkler Danforth, William 

Bowen, John Danforth, Nathaniel 

Bishop, Josiali Eastman, Joseph 

Bohonnon, Andrew Emery, Edward 

Burbank, Moses Fitzgerald, Edward 

Call, Philip Elanders, Jacob 

Cook, Thomas Elood, Richard 

Corser, John Eowler, John 



16 



CIVIL HISTORY. [1731. 



Gerrish, Stephen Meloon, Nathaniel 

Gould, Ambrose Peters, William 

Jaekman, Eichard Eix, Nathaniel 

Jackman, George Rolfe, Daniel. 

Manuel, Joel 
In imagination we see them toiling through the forest, follo\y- 
ing the rude path from Nutfield (Derry) up to Suncook, across 
the " dark plains " in Concord, crossing the Merrimack just 
above the mouth of the Contoocook. 

Upon the intervale are open spaces where the grass grows lux- 
uriantly, but everywhere else tliey behold an unbroken forest. 

Ascending the high bank, they come to the blazed lines where 
John Brown has laid out the new town. There is no house to 
shelter them. The first nights they spend beneath the shelter of 
the trees. They select the sites for their log houses. The forest 
resounds with the sturdy strokes of their axes. They have a single 
plow, owned b}'- Stephen Gerrish. The oxen are yoked to it, and 
the virgin soil of the intervale, which has lain undisturbed since 
the morning of creation, is turned to the sun. Ere many days 
have passed, each man has a cabin built of logs, covered with bark, 
or with long shingles rived from some giant pine. 

During the first season the^^ must subsist upon provisions 
brought on horseback, or on their own backs, from Newbury, save 
that now and tlien their trusty rifles bring down a deer. During 
the spring and summer months they can add to their stock of pro- 
visions by spearing salmon in the river, and there is a plentiful 
supply of pickerel, horned pouts, and perch in the river and ponds, 
while the brooks are alive with trout. The days are long and 
wearisome. They work early and late, suffer many privations and 
hardships ; but they are rearing their future homes, and the hard- 
ships are forgotten in anticipation of better days. 

It is not probable that many of the settlers' families came in 
the spring, but most, if not all, were there before the close of the 
year. 

proprietors' meeting. 

Nov. 8. A meeting of the proprietors was held at the house of 
Archelaus Adams in Newbury. It was voted that a saw-mill 
should be built at the charge of the proprietors, and Daniel Hale, 



1734.] CIVIL HISTORY. 17 

Joseph Gerrisli, and Thomas Tliorla, weve chosen a committee to 
attend to the matter. The same committee was empowered to 
rectify any mistake made in the laying out of lots, and John 
Brown, the surveyor, was engaged to go to Contoocook to show 
the proprietors the location of the lots. 

Five of the proprietors, — Joseph Lunt, John Coffin, Thomas 

Tliorla, Benjamin Lunt, Benjamin Coker, and Edward Emery, 

entered their dissent in regard to the power of the committee. 

Dec. 18, another meeting was held. It was voted that the intervale 
should be fenced by the fifteenth of May of the following year, at 
the expense of the owners of the lots, and any proprietor neglect- 
ing to build his j^roportion should make satisfaction. It was also 
voted that Joseph Tappan should obtain a grindstone for the com- 
mon use of the proprietors. 

At this meeting further action was taken towards buildin"- a 
saw-mill. 

[From the Records.] 

" It was put to vote by the moderator where [whether] there should be 
a grant of [land] made to those men hereafter named, of the little stream 
[Mill brook] at Contoocook near the upper end of the lots or town, 
and fifty acres of land laid square adjoining to the mill for commencing 
thereof on both sides of the stream and also one whole right throughout 
the town or plantation on condition they build a saw mill there by 
the first of September next ensuing the date hereof, and a good grist 
mill so soon as there is settled twenty families on the said plantation in 
case there is water enough to accommodate both mills and the mills be 
built and in the length of time by clearing the land or any other way it 
shall be judged that there is not water to answer the end for said mill 
or mills or that the men are obliged to raise the dam so high to save 
water to saw or grind so as to be judged hurtfull : then the proprietors 
shall pay the men that built the mill or mills for them the price of what 
they shall then be accounted worth, or else procure for the men that 
built the mill or mills the stream commonly called or known by the 
name of [Mill brook] Contoocook & the privileges thereof as was re- 
served as by record may appear — they taking the land as it was re- 
served by each [of the] falls for conveuiency of the mills for part of 
their rights." 

The above, evident^, was not drawn by the clear-headed clerk, 
Joseph Coffin, for we find an explanatory note in his hand-writ- 
ing, as follows : 

2 



18 CIVIL HISTORY. [1735. 

" The true intent & meaning of the above written vote is that if 
the nine Gentle"" do build mills on Contoocook river to our acceptance 
then the society is not to procure said stream [ in blank ] for tliose men 
which built on the little stream. Those men that have undertaken to 
build the aforesaid mill or mills at the above plantation are as followetli 
to "wit : 

" Joseph Gerrish Esq, Mr Tristram Little, John Coffin, M"' Joseph 
Noyes, y"" 3'^ Lieut William Ilsley, Cor Thomas Thorla, John Moody 
ju'', Daniel Coffin, Benjamin Pettengill, Lieut Benjamin Lunt, Dea 
James Noyes, Joseph Coffin, John Webster, Lieut Moses Gerrish, & Capt 
Edward Emery, these men above named are to give bond for their well 
performing their work." 

At that meeting Robert Adams, Joseph Morss, 3d, and Richard 
Hale, were appointed a committee to take a bond of the above 
named, and Henry Rolfe was chosen to confer with them in re- 
gard to building the mill. 

THE FIRST CHILD. 

The year opened auspiciously to the settlers, for on Jan. 7 a 
daughter was born to Nathaniel Danforth — the first birth in the 
plantation. The infant was named Abigail, grew to maidenhood, 
and married Thomas Foss, whose name frequently appears in the 
records of the town. 

THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY. 

A survey of the settled sections of New Hampshire at this 
time will be of interest. 

Northward of Contoocook there was an unbroken wilderness 
reaching to Canada. Hunters and explorers had passed up and 
down the valley of the Merrimack, but no settler had reared his 
cabin above the Contoocook intervale. The men who set up their 
log houses on King street were the advance guard of civilization. 

On the east there was no settlement between Contoocook and 
Rochester. Dover and Portsmouth, the oldest towns in tiie state, 
had been settled one hundred years when the men of Newbury 
located themselves at Contoocook, and yet so slow had been the 
advance northward from those localities, that the most northerly 
settlement was at Rochester, within ten miles of Dover. In 
1732 a few settlers i^ushed westward from Dover to Barrington. 
In Nottingham, south of Barrington, Joseph Cilley and others 



1735.] CIVIL HISTORY. 19 

built tlieir cabins in 1727 ; ])ut in the territory now comprised in 
tlie towns of Farmington, Strafford, Barnstead, Nortbwood, Deer- 
field, Candia, Epsom, Pittsfield, Loudon, and Chichester, there 
was no settlement. Southward were the settlements on the river — • 
Penacook, Chestnut Woods (Chester), which was settled in 1722, 
K"utfield (Derry), settled in 1719. West of Nuffield was John 
Cromwell's trading-house, in what is now the town of Merrimack ; 
but the first settlers of that town located there the same year 
that the people of Newbury moved to Contoocook. John Crom- 
well had been there, off and on, as early as 1679, buying furs of 
the Indians, doing as the old Knickerbockers of Manhattan were 
wont to do — pile the furs in one scale and put their foot in the 
other ! The Indians discovered Cromwell's trick, however, of hav- 
ing a heavy foot when he bought, and a light foot when he sold; 
consequently he was obliged to use both of his feet nimbly in 
getting away. His trading-house was a ruin when the Contoo- 
cook settlers came northward to their future homes. 

Between Nuffield and Penacook there was no settlement, ex- 
cept at Suncook (Pembroke), which had been granted to Capt. 
John Lovewell, and which was settled in 1727. 

On the west bank of the Merrimack, above Dunstable, there 
was no settlement except at Hollis, where, in 1731, Peter Powers 
began a clearing and built a cabin ; none in all of the territory of 
Hillsborough countj'^, and Cheshire, with the exception of the 
settlements at Winchester and Hinsdale. Josiah Willard and 
others had been at Winchester one year only. New Brookline 
was settled in 1733. The next place settled in south-western 
New Hampshire was Keene, in 1736. Charlestown was not set- 
tled till 1738. 

Of the localities arouiid Contoocook, a settlement was made in 
Canterbury the same year as in Contoocook. Virtually it was 
one settlement, separated only by the river. 

On the west the first settlement was at Hopkinton, in 1740, 
but the inhabitants of that locality abandoned their homes in 
1746. The first settlement in Salisbury was in 1750, by Philip 
Call, Nathaniel Meloon, Benjamin Pettengill, John and Ebenezer 
Webster, Andrew Bohonon. These, with the exception of Pet- 
tengill and Webster, moved from Contoocook. 

So slow was the advancing wave of civilization, that in the val- 



20 CIVIL HISTORY, [1736, 

ley of the Merrimack there was no settlement above Salisbury till 
1764, when Zachariah Parker and James Hobart settled at Ply- 
mouth. That was a great step northward, for not till two years 
later were there any inhabitants between what is now Pranklin 
and Plymouth. Thomas Crawford reared a cabin in Bridgewater 
in 1766. The advancement on the west was quite as slow. Some 
settlers moved into Hillsborough in 1741, but moved out again 
soon after. No permanent settlement was made there till 1757. 
Henniker was without an inhabitant till 1761, when James 
Peters erected a log cabin. In Warner there was no permanent 
settler till 1762, two years after Contoocook was incoi-porated 
a town. A year later — 1763 — the first inhabitant moved into 
NeAvport. There was no settlement in Sanborton till 1765. 

Por a quarter of a century Contoocook was the out-post of civil- 
ization, maintaining its position through the Indian wars, its 
hardy settlers never thinking of retreat. 

ACTION OF PROPRIETORS IN REGARD TO A MINISTER. 

May 19. The proprietors held their annual meeting at Con- 
toocook, several of them coming from Newbury to attend it. It 
was their first meeting in the plantation. Josejih Gen-ish was 
chosen moderator, and Joseph Coffin, clerk. 

The first business transacted was in relation to securing a min- 
ister of the gospel ; and Lieut. Benj. Lunt, Joseph Geri'ish, and 
John Coffin were cliosen a committee " to agree with a suitable 
person to preach at Contoocook, & also to raise money to defray 
the expenses of the plantation." 

One thing is to be noted in connection, that the proprietors 
still living in Newbury, and who had no thought of emigrating to 
Contoocook, cheerfully taxed themselves to support a minister in 
the plantation, thus carrying out the provisions of the grant hon- 
orably, and acting with great liberality towards the settlers. 

At this meeting it was voted that there should be no meadows 
mown before the 10th of July, when the grass was " to be cut by 
those men that are there, in equality, each doing his portion or 
share of the labor." 

It was also voted that Edward Emery, Stephen Gerrish, Na- 
thaniel Danford, " shall cut that piece of meadow which they 
have found, and cut a way into for this year & no longer," 



1736.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 21 



Where this may have been is uncertain. It is handed down 
by tradition that there was a section of cleared meadow land lie- 
tween Great and Little ponds, also at various places along the 
brooks and streams of the town. 

It was also voted that the highways should be mended at the 
proprietors' cost, that '' any person that do labores on said ways 
to the satisfaction of y® surveyors, shall have five shillings for his 
service." 

Voted, also, to raise one hundred pounds " to build a cart bridge 
over Contoocook river." Benjamin Eolfe, William Ilsley, and 
John Coffin were chosen a committee to build the same ; — " that 
is if they can build s* bridge and keep it in good repair for the 
space of ten years for an hundred pounds, wdiich is already 
granted." 

TOWX-HOUSE. 

The proprietors erected, during the year, a toAvn-house. No 
record has been preserved showing where it was located, but the 
little brook wdiich runs from Queen street to the pond crossed by 
the Northern Kailroad is frequently spoken of as '' Town-House 
brook." It is probable that this first public edifice of logs stood 
near the stream, and not far from the present residence of Prof. 
John Jackman, or, possibly, near the residence of Mr. Hamilton 
P. Gill. • 

Prom action taken in regard to the discharge of the bond given 
by the fifteen who obligated themselves to build the saw-mill, the 
evidence is conclusive that the mill had been erected. 

" Voted that the bonds of the men, Avhich have built the saw mill be 
delivered & to lay out the bonds for building said mill according to vote 
as by record." 

It was the pioneer mill of this section of the Merrimack valley. 
The saw-mills of that period were such as any carpenter might 
construct. This mill had no "nigger" wheel to move the "car- 
riage" back after the saw had passed through the log : that labor 
was done by a man treading upon the cogs of the "ratchet- 
wheel," — labor exceedingly fatiguing. For many years it was 
the only saw^nill in the town, and several of the houses now 
standing on King street are covered with boards which were sawn 
in this first mill. 



22 CIVIL HISTORY, [1737. 

At their March meeting, 1737, the proprietors voted tliat Joseph 
Gerrish, Henry Eolfe, and Joseph Stickney he a committee "to 
treat with some suitable man & a Christian learned to preach at 
Contoocook the dimming summer and in order to settle the afore- 
said Gentleman if he can he rationally agreed with to serve us in 
the ministry." Two hundred pounds was raised for preaching, and 
the assessors were directed to make the town-house convenient for 
the use of the minister and people on the Sahbath. 

THE FIRST MINISTER. 

The committee secured the services of Rev. Phineas Stevens 
(see Biography). This action fulfilled all the provisions of the 
grant, except that relating to the number of families in the plan- 
tation. It is probable that Mr. Stevens began his ministrations 
in May. 

A second meeting of the proprietors was held May 10, at which 
it Avas voted that there should not be more than Mty pounds laid 
out on the highways during the year. A man was to receive five 
shillings, and a yoke of oxen was to be rated at four shillings for 
a day's work. 

THE FIRST FERRY. 

No bridge had as yet been erected across the Contoocook, and 
the only means of communication with ?enacook and with Can- 
terbury was by boat. Both the Merrimack and Contoocook were 
too deep to be forded. It is probable that up to this i:)eriod the 
settlers had relied on their small skiffs, their horses and oxen 
swimming the rivers. But the time had come for the establish- 
ing of a public ferry. At the proprietors' meeting, it was voted, — 

" That Stephen Gerrish shall have six pounds paid him by the pro- 
prietors, his building a ferry boat and keeping said boat in good re- 
pair, and giviug due & constant attendance to ye proprietors to ferry 
themselves and their creatures over Merrimack as foUoweth : (viz.) a 
man at two pence, a man and horse at four pence, a man and one yoke 
of oxen at six pence, a man and one cow at four pence and young 
creatures according to bigness; and at years end his returnitig said 
boat to the proprietors or to whom they appoint to receive the afore- 
said boat, or six pounds in bills of credit of ye old tenor." 

The ferry was located in the bend of the Merrimack, above its 



CIVIL HISTORY. 23 



1737.] 

junction with the Contoocook. In after years a ferrj-way was 
laid out from King street to the bank of the Merrimack. The 
settlement of Canterbury was keeping pace with Contoocook, and 
such a location would best suit the two communities, while it 
would be on the direct road to Newbury. 

PETITION FOR CONSTABLE. 

Henry Eolfe and Joseph Gerrish were appointed a committee 
to petition the Great and General Court " for the appointment of 
constable to keep ye peace." There was no evidence that the little 
community was not peaceably disposed, but a constable repre- 
sented the majesty of the law. The very appointment would tend 
to keep the peace. 

At a proprietors' meeting, held September 6, it was voted that 
the lots, " namely, the ministers, ministry & school lots shall be 
piched [pitched] and a committee be chosen to pich them." 

The undoubted design of this vote was the securing of the best 
land in the town for tliat which they most prized,— the religious, 
moral, and educational advancement of the community. This, 
rather than their material interests, characterized the action of 
the proprietors from the beginning. There was a large-hearted- 
ness in all that they did ; and this action was followed by its 
legitimate sequence,— the building up of a solid, substantial com- 
munity — energetic, moral, religious, liberal — which, till emigra- 
tion began to draw its life blood, occupied a front rank among 
the purely agricultural towns of the state. 

SECOND DIVISION OF LOTS. 

It was voted that there be a second division of land. Benjamin 
Eolfe, John Coffin, Edward Emery, Joseph Gerrish, and Thomas 
Thorla were appointed to make the division, and were to have nine 
shillings a day for their services. This committee were to make 
the selection of the minister's and school lots. 

FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

Up to this time, the services on the Sabbath had been held 
either in the town-house or else in the dwelling of one of the set- 
tlers. But the conditions of the grant required the erection of a 




2-4 CIVIL HISTORY. [1738. 

meeting-liouse ; and it was voted that a house be erected, and that 
the sum of one hundred pounds be raised to enable the committee 

to go on in building a house 
-="- "forty feet long and of the 

j^ ", same width of Rumford Meet- 

— - ^fe ing house and two feet higher, 

^f ^ ' 'v ^-^!^^My^'- said house to be built of logs." 

' .li^^j_t^5Jta\i.j;^o^f Penacook had taken the 
name of Rumford, a planta- 
tion with a meeting-house and 
a settled minister. The ac- 
N " companying cut of the Rum- 

ford mceting-house, the model for that of Contoocook, has been 
kindly loaned by Rev. is"athaniel Bouton, d. d., the historian of 
Concord. 

Joseph Gerrish, Joseph Coffin, and Jacob Flanders were chosen 
building committee. 

LAYING OUT OF THE SECOND DIVISION" OF LOTS. 

The committee on a second division of land employed John 
Brown as surveyor, laying out Fish, High, Cross, Water, Long, 
Battle, Pleasant, and West (Little Hill) streets, four rods in 
width. Upon these highways, lots containing eighty acres were 
located, one for each proprietor. The expense of the survey 
amounted to one hundred pounds ten shillings. 

Upon the completion of the survey, the proprietors assembled 
at the town-house, in Newbury, December 20, to attend the draw- 
ing of lots. Joseph Gerrish was chosen chairman ; but the day 
being very cold,' the meeting was adjourned to the tavern of John 
March (possibly Mancher), where the lots were drawn. 

POPULATION. 

From a deposition of Moses Burbank, one of the first settlers, 
made in 1796, we are able to obtain the number of settlers, and 
the condition of the plantation. 

" There was 33 settlers in the year 1738 and about 50 or 60 
Rights bearun in the settlement & in the course of two or three 



1739.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



■25 



years after there was as many as 90 or 96 Rights Begun Improve- 
ment," [Found among the papers of Col. Henry Gerrish.] 

COMPLETIO^r OF THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

During the winter of 1738-9 the meeting-house was completed. 
The site selected by the committee was near the center of the 
cemetery, on the Plain. The pulpit is supposed to have been over 
the spot where rest the remains of Dea. Isaac Pearson, whose 
dying request was that he might be buried on the spot where 
the gospel had been preached by the first minister of the town 
• and his successors. Por thirty years the edifice was used for pub- 
lic worship and town-meetings. Upon its demolition, some of the 
timber was used in the construction of a stable, now owned by Mr. 
Emerson. 

This first meeting-house in Contoocook was the twent^-^-seventh 
in the state. Those erected at an earlier date were in the follow- 
ing order : 

MEETIXG-HOUSES IN THE STATE. 



1633. Dover. 

1638. Exeter. 

1638. Hampton. 

1641. Gosport. 

1655. Durham. 

1671. Newcastle. 

1685. Nashua (Dunstable). 

1706. Greenland. 

1711. Hampton Falls. 

1715. Newington. 

1717. Stratham. 

1725. Kingston. 

1726. Rye. 

1727. Derry. 

It will be seen that at this time 
houses west of the Merrimack — at 
and Contoocook. 



1727. Somersworth. 

1729. Concord (Rumford). 

1730. Plaistow. 

1730. South Newmarket. 

1731. Chester. 
1733. Dover, 2d. 
1733. Keene. 

1733. Winchester. 

1734. North Hampton. 
1737. Hudson. 

1737. Kensington. 

1737. Pembroke. 

1738. Boscawen. 

there were only four meeting- 
Dunstable, Keene, Winchester, 



26 



CIVIL HISTORY. [1739. 



proprietors' meetixgs 



May 16. Meeting in the town-liouse in Contoocook. Eev. Mr. 
Stevens was again employed to preach, and £300, old tenor, was 
raised to defray the expenses of the proprietors. 

Dec. 6. Meeting held at the house of John Mancher, innholder 
in Newbury. Up to this time, the settlers of Contoocook, in com- 
mon with those of the frontiers, had lived in peace with the Ind- 
ians ; but France and England were at war, and the Indians being 
under the influence of the French, it was feared that the settle- 
ment would be attacked. Every town established its garrison. 
The proprietors took prompt action to defend the settlement. 

THE FIRST FORT. 

It was voted that a fort should be erected at the expense of the 
proprietors, the enclosure to be one hundred feet square, built of 
hewn logs, seven feet high and eight inches thick when hewn, " to 
be built three feet above the logs with such stuff as shall be 
agreed upon by the committee." 

From this record it may be inferred that there was an upper 
work, — a chevaux-de-frise of pointed, projecting timbers, designed 
to prevent the enemy from climbing over the wooden walls, which 
undoubtedly were loop-holed for the use of musketry. 

It was voted to locate the fortification on the "school lot." 
The probabilities are that it was erected a few feet south of that 
lot, near the spot upon which the first framed house was subse- 
quently erected by Eev. Eobie Morrill, now standing — the two- 
storied edifice a few rods easterly of King street. 

A spring of sweet water issued from the high bank near by, 
from which the garrison could be supplied. The spring is now 
the well in the shed attached to the above-mentioned house. The 
location was well chosen. It stood on the brink of a high bank, 
and commanded the intervale. The Indians might look down upon 
it from the high hill west of Town-House brook, but too far away 
to do any damage. The spring was so near, that water could al- 
ways be obtained without danger. Barracks were erected inside 
of the fortification for the convenience of the garrison and fami- 
lies. 



1739.] CIVIL HISTORY. 27 

It being found that the enclosure was not large enough to ac- 
commodate the entire community, another fortification was erect- 
ed, during the winter, near the house now occupied by Prof. John 
Jackman. ISTo record has been preserved in regard to the dimen- 
sions of this garrison, but it probably was somewhat smaller, and 
designed as a retreat for the settlers on Queen street in case of 
sudden surprise. 

Through the years of trouble with the Indians, these garrisons 
served to protect the resolute men, who, during the most exciting 
times, when other frontier settlements were abandoned, never 
thought of yielding the ground to the foe. 




CHAPTER III. 

THE SECOND DECADE. 

jp||TAY 16, 1740, tlie annual meeting of tlie proprietors was lield 
at the town-house. Among other officers chosen were two 
field-drivers — Nathaniel Meloon and Ambrose Goold. The ques- 
tion, " whether ye hogs should run at large the year ensuing, — 
they being" well j^oked," was decided in the affirmative. 

A committee was chosen to confer with Rev. Phineas Stevens, 
in regard to his settlement as minister; and £150 in bills of credit 
was voted for contingent expenses. 

John Brown, Thomas Thorla, and Joseph Gerrish were ap- 
pointed a committee to lay out a highway through the town, to 
Baker's town, " on petition of John Sergeant & others Canada 
Soldiers, which Township is laid above Contoocook & adjoining 
to Merrimack." 

This has reference to the present South Franklin. The Canada 
soldiers alluded to were those who had been out upon the fron- 
tier to defend the settlements from the Indians. The highway 
was an extension of Fish street, the southerly end of which had 
been laid out by John Brown in 1738. 

SETTLEMENT OF IlEV. MR. STEVEXS. 

September 25, a meeting was held at John Mancher's tavern, 
in Newbury, but without transacting any business* was adjourned 
to October 1. The projjrietors met on that day at Ebenezer 
Choate's tavern, in Newbur}-. It was voted that the salary of 
Eev. Mr. Stevens, for the first year, should be £135, in bills of 




vV\v\\\\ Vv.S 



\'vV\v\\\\ yv^^iVvvv 

A 



1740.] CIVIL HISTORY. 29 

credit, eqiuvalent to silver at 29 shillings the ounce, and an in- 
crease of £5 a year until it should amount to £175 per annum, 
which should he his regular salary thereafter. It was also voted 
to give him a settlement of £180 ; and in case it should be found 
that £175 was not an adequate support, the proprietors would 
make a reasonable addition. 

The first minister, according to the grant, was entitled to one 
eighty-fourth part of the land ; but, as the town was laid out in one 
hundred and four rights, the proprietors made a stipulation that 
Mr. Stevens should not claim but one one-hundred-and-fourth 
share. Joseph Gerrish, John Brown, Edward Emery, John 
Coffin, and George Jackman were appointed a committee to pre- 
sent the terms of settlement, and to arrange for the ordination. 

There were not many ministers near at hand to take part in 
the ceremony. At Penacook was Rev. Timothy Walker ; at Sun- 
cook, Rev. Aaron Whittemore. The nest nearest minister was 
Rev. Moses Hale, of Chester. There was a Presbyterian minis- 
ter at Nuffield (Derry), Rev. Wm. Davidson, just about being 
settled, who had married the widow of his predecessor. But 
Davidson was a Presbyterian ; and the war was hot between the 
Presbyterians and the Orthodox, as the Congregationalists were 
called. There was no fello\vship between the denominations. 
The nearest minister following down the Merrimack was Josiah 
Swan, at Dunstable. At Exeter, the capital of the proA'ince, was 
Rev. John Odlin, Avho had been preaching a third of a century ; 
at Dover was Jonathan Cashing ; at Durham, Rev. Hugh An- 
drews. But it would have been a round-about way for these min- 
isters to have come to the ordination, — south to Exeter, thence to 
" Charmingfare " (Candia), thence to Suncook and Penacook. 
At South Newmarket was John Moody ; at Stratham, Henry 
Rust ; at Plaistow, James Cushing ; at Kingston, Joseph Secomb. 
The churches at Hampton and along the sea-shore were supplied 
with pastors, but it is not probable that they were called upon to 
take part in the council ; nor is it probable that either of the two 
ministers in the south-west part of the state — Rev. Jacob Bacon, 
of Keene, or Rev. Joseph Ashley, of Winchester — was invited. 
The records give no information as to who took part in the exer- 
cises in the little loo; meetina;-house. 



30 CIVIL HISTORY. [1740. 
OKDIXATIOX EXPENSES. 

The iiroprietors' records contain an account of the expenses of 

the ordination : 

" An Accorapt of the Expenses for the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. 

Phiueas Stevens at Contoocook Oct 29, 1740 For which Charge the 

Proprietors are indebted 

''To Mr Edward Emery ^ 

For five Bushels of Wheat at 12= per bushi £3— 0—0 

16 lbs Pork at 18<i 1— 4—0 

2 lbs Sugar 0— 4-0 

for Crainberrys Cabbage & turnips — 10 — 

Eggs 1^ G'l Trouble of his house 30= 1_11_6 

Charge he has been at 26^ & Trouble 12= 1—18—0 

For bringing up the Boat 1 — — 



9—7 —6" 

The query arises, how a boat could be used at an ordination. 
The answer is j)lain : there was no bridge across the Merrimack. 
The ministers from the lower towns would come by the road lead- 
ing up the east side of the Merrimack : hence the need of a boat. 
" To Mr George Jachman, 

For Edward FitzGerald's Service 1— 6— 

for 2 women 2 days each — 12 — 

a Bushel of wheat 1-2^ & a Bushel of Indian 6= 0—18— 

His Trouble 30= Cabbages & Turnips 5= 1—15— 



4—11— 



"To Joseph Gerrish Esq 

For 4 Barrels of Cider 4^—12= & 20= for his trouble 5—12— 

For 352 lbs of Beef at Gp 10— 5— 4 

90 lbs of Pork at 12p 4—10— 

27 lbs Salt Pork 40= 6i' & 30 lbs of butter 2= 5— 0— 6 

li bushels of Wheat 18= Turnips &c 6= 1— 8— 
8 Turkies at 56 at 9'' per lb 42=. Bringing the Boat 

20= 3— 2— 

Carting 10£ His trouble 30= 11—10— 



41—07—10 



''To Mr John Coffin 

For 30 lbs of butter 60= 4 bushi of Malt 40= 5— 0— 



1740.] CIVIL HISTORY. 31 

For 40^: lbs Salt Pork 60^ 9!' & 26 lbs of cheese at 28^ 2" 4 8—11— 
8 Geese 51i at 8p 34:« 4" & bis trouble & charge 60^ 4—14— 4 



14— 3— 3 

"To Mr John Noijes Jun 

For 2 Cases of Knives 40^ for 10 lbs Sugar 20= & one lb 

pepper O'^ 3 — 9 — 
'To Mr Daniel Coffin 
For 10 lbs of Raisins 35= 5 lbs Currents 15= 11 lbs of loaf 

Sugar 55= 4—15 

30 lbs of Flower 10= 6 Drinking glasses 8= 1— 8— 

Biscake 2i)=, 1 doz Mugs 12= Carting Stores 12= 2— 4— 

19 Gallons Rhum at 10= per Gal 8—10— 

10—17— 
'To Mr John Adams 

For 20 lbs Sugar 36= 8i' Chocolate 1^ lb 21= 9p 2—18— 5 

Nutmegs 5= 6i\ Allspice 4= Pipes 4 doz 8= 0—17 — 6 



3—15—11 



'To Mr John Rolf Jun 

For one half barrel full bound & a 4 gallon Cask 0—12— 

'To John Brown 

For Spices 9= Pipes & Tobacco 12= 6p • 1—1—6 

For a 50 gallon cask & a 4 gall bottle — 7 — 

For his trouble & charge 3 — — 



4—08— 6 



'To Mr Eben^r Choate 

For Wine 1—10— 

'To Mr Moses Gerrish 

For 5 lbs of Sugar 0—10— 

'To Cutting Lunt 

For four Gallons of Molasses 1 — 8 — 

'To Richards Sf Titcomb 

For Carrying up their Famls Each 20= 2— 0— 



104- 0— 



<'A true Accompt Errors Excepted Newbury Nov 5"i 1740 

John Brown." 



32 CIVIL HISTORY. [1740. 

This in federal currency would bo equal to $46.35. It repre- 
sented, however, much more than that, for the purchasing power 
of money was much greater at that period than at the present 
time. 

An ordination in those days was a jubilee, a great event, one 
in which the whole community had an interest, and people from 
far and near came to attend it. That settlers from other towns 
were present is evident from the amount of provision prepared. 
Contoocook, in 1740, had less than one hundred inhahitants — 
probably the number did not exceed seventy-five ; yet there was 
provision sufficient for dining a regiment. The wheat was suf- 
ficient to make 345 pounds, or a barrel and a half of flour. 
There were 352 pounds of beef, 173^ pounds of pork, 51^ of 
geese, 56 of turkey, a bushel of Indian meal, 60 pounds of butter, 
to say nothing of the cabl>ages and turnips. The beef was equiv- 
alent to half an ox, and the pork to half a hog. Certainly there 
must have been many visitors from abroad. We may think of all 
Penacook and Canterbury and Suncook as being there, and 
probably a goodly number of the proprietors from Newbury, — 
thinking it no hardship to ride sixty miles on horseback through 
the forest to visit their friends and relatives in Contoocook. 

It was the first week in October, when the great forest 
would be i:i all its 'glory, — the maples bright with the changing 
hues of autumn, crimson and magenta and vermeil dyes of every 
hue — the first leaves falling earthward. It was a great day for 
the young settlement. We may think of long lines of men and 
women, on horseback, arriving on the eastern bank of the Merri- 
mack, and being ferried across to the lower intervale, passing 
the fields of corn rustling in the autumn breeze. They wind up 
the pathway, ascend the hill to the level plain and the broad 
highway of King street, and come to the log meeting-house, 
standing on a knoll east of it. They fasten their horses to the 
trees, and congratulate the citizens of Contoocook on the auspicious 
event. They take off their hats to the reverend men in wigs, who 
have come to ordain Mr. Stevens. 

The council assembles in the house of Edward Emery. The 
candidate is questioned in regard to " Eixed fate & Eree will," 
God's sovereignty and man's inability. Then comes tlie ordina- 
tion service in the log meeting-house, the invocation itself long 



1740.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 33 



enougli for a pra^^er, then reading the Scriptures, the longer 
prayer, the still longer sermon, and all the other exercises long 
drawn, till ministers and people are sharp set for the dinner, — 
the beef, pork, geese, turkeys, garnished with turnips and cabbages, 
bread and butter, and dessert of cakes prepared with currants 
and raisins. We see the reverend clergymen filling their glasses 
with wine, while the multitude refresh themselves from the four 
barrels of cider on tap, and the casks of beer, made strong with 
the four bushels of malt. There are bowls filled with punch, for 
that is the use to which the nineteen gallons of " Ehum " has 
been put. Possibly there are mugs of egg-nog, well spiced, 
for the clergy, and served up smoking hot, with a heated logger- 
head plunged into the foaming tankards. And then, when 
the repast is ended, come the pipes and tobacco. The dinner is 
served out of doors, — for there is not on King street, neither on 
Queen street, a log house capacious enough to feast the throng. 
The people sit on the stumps of the old oaks, or upon the log 
fence surrounding the meeting-house lot, and partake of the gen- 
erous repast provided for the occasion, and talk over the event, 
praise the sermon, the bearing of the young minister; — may- 
be they carry on a little business, talk about swapping oxen, 
about friends at Newbury, and what is going on in the world, till 
the October sun sinks behind the "Mountain." Then the Can- 
terbury and Penacook and Suncook people take their departure — 
the wife on the pillion behind the husband — while the friends from 
Newbury accept the hospitality of the settlers, sleeping on bear- 
skins before the wide-mouthed fire-places in the log cabins. 

COLONIAL JURISDICTIOIS'. 

To whom do the settlers of Contoocook ow^e allegiance, — to Mas- 
sachusetts, or to New Hampshire ? It is the question of all oth- 
ers claiming their attention in 1740. Massachusetts was making 
strenuous efforts to extend her territory northward to the junction 
of the Winnepisaukee and Merrimack, and to " Endicott's tree," 
a large pine which stood on the bank of the river in the present 
town of Tilton. 

The line claimed by Massachusetts began at the sea, three 
miles north of the "black rocks " at the mouth of the Merrimack; 
3 



84 CIVIL HISTORY. [1740. 

tlience running parallel with the river as far north as the 
"crotch" or junction of the Merrimack and Wimiepisaukee ; 
thence due north, as far as a certain tree laiown as " Endicott's," 
three miles distant from the " crotch ; " thence, as reads the char- 
ter " due west to the South sea." This would have given Massa- 
chusetts jurisdiction from the town of Franklin westward to Oregon. 

New Hampshire claimed, on the other hand, that the line 
should begin at the sea, three miles north of the middle channel 
of the Merrimack, and from thence should run in a straight line 
west, until it met, in the language of one of the charters, " the 
king's other government." This " other government " was the 
territory granted h}^ Charles II to the Duke of York — supposed by 
the people of New Hampshire to be bovinded by the Hudson ; 
but by the people of New York, at a later date, it was claimed 
that the Connecticut was the western boundary of New Hamp- 
shire. 

To obtain a settlement of the boundary, a commission was ap- 
pointed consisting of one councillor from Nova Scotia, one from 
New York, one from Ehode Island, and one from New Jersey. 
The commissioners met at Hampton, August 1, 1737. The legis- 
latures of Massachusetts and New Hampshire met at the same 
time, — the first at Salisburj', the latter at Hampton Falls, — five 
miles apart. There was mvich pomp and parade ; but tlie com- 
missioners were divided in opinion, and the question was referred 
to London. The New Hampshire interest was placed in the hands 
of John Tomlinson and Mr. Parris, while the attorneys of Massa- 
chusetts were Edmund Quincy, who suddenly deceased, 1738, 
leaving the affairs to Messrs. Wilks & Patridge. 

On March 5, 1740, a decision was given by the King's Council, 
makino- the boundaries as they ever since have remained between 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but making no decision in 
regard to the western boundary of the colony, which was not then 
in dispute. 

By this decision, all the towns west of the Merrimack which had 
been granted to Massachusetts were transferred to New Hamp- 
shire not only between the Merrimack and the Connecticut, but 
west of that river. From this time on — especially during Gov. 
Bennin-T Wentworth's administration — grants were made by New 
Hampshire west of the Connecticut j and that region, up to the 



1740.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 35 



formation of Vermont as a state in 1777, was known as the New 
Hampshire Grants. 

The settlers of Contoocook were attached to Massachusetts. 
They came from Newhury. The plantation had been granted by 
that colony, and they desired to remain under its jurisdiction. At 
a meeting held October 1, the following vote was passed : 

" Voted that there shall be a petition sent to His Most Excellent 
Majesty Saying that we, the proprietors of Contoocook might be con. 
tinned to this province of Massachusetts Bay, & that Thomas Hutchin- 
son Esq. be our agent." 

John Brown, Capt. Moses Gerrish, and Benjamin Lunt were 
appointed to prepare the petition. Probably, however, the peti- 
tion never was sent, as the matter had been decided seven months 
previous, though the intelligence had not reached Contoocook. 

EXTEXSIOX OF FISH STREET. 

In Mr. John Brown's MS. field book is the record of the run- 
ning of a line from Contoocook to Franklin. 

" May 16 1740. Jos. Gerrish, Nath^ Danforth, Edward Fitzgerald & 
myself Laid out a Highway of four Rods broad from King street in 
Contoocook to Pemichewasett." 

The line was nearly identical with the present travelled road. 

UNDER THE NEW JURISDICTION". 

Up to this time New Hampshire had been a dependency of 
Massachusetts, having a deputy-governor as chief executive 
officer; but now the colony became a separate commonwealth. 
Beaming Wentworth was appointed governor. He was born in 
Portsmouth, but, being in England at the time, secured the ap- 
pointment. He assumed the duties on December 12, 1740. 

The proprietors and settlers were desirous of continuing their 
allegiance to Massachusetts, but cheerfully gave in their adhesion 
to the new order of things. 

proprietors' meetings. 

At a meeting held in Newbury, at the tavern of Edward A. 
Richardson, Lieut. Benjamin Lunt was chosen moderator, and 
Joseph Gerrish, Joseph Coffin, and Capt. Moses Gerrish "were 



36 CIVIL HISTORY. [1743. 

chosen a committee liumbly to beg the favor of His Excellency 
Benning Wentworth, Esq., governor of His Majestie's province of 
New Hamjjshire, in New England, &c., & that he would please 
order & direct the same so as may he most advantageous both 
to the government & said proprietors." 

May 20. Voted to raise £200, in bills of credit, to pay Eev. 
Mr. Stevens for " his sarvice " the year ensuing. 

Voted, that a man shall be allowed five shillings a day, and four 
shillings for a " yoak " of oxen. 

Voted, that £20 be worked out on the highwa}^ 

Voted, that John Brown, Lieut. Joseph Coffin, and Ensign 
Joseph Gerrish make sale of lands on which taxes have not been 
paid ; that Capt. Ebenezer Eastman be empowered " to clear & 
brak up the ministry intervale lot — the said Lot to be cleared 
and brok up the summer following." Surveyors of highways, 
fence-viewers, a pound-keeper, and hogreeves were chosen, and 
£20 raised for highways and £200 for contingent expenses. 

1742. At a meeting held September 8, £200 was voted to 
meet the minister's salary, and for other expenses ; and that the 
salary might be paid promptly, it was " ordered that each propri- 
etor give a Note of hand to pay his & their dues sum of said tax, 
and those proprietors and inhabitants that are obliged by contract 
to pay tax, are to give their notes to Ambros Gould, who is chosen 
to Gather said tax." 

May 18, 1743. Josiah Bishop was chosen field-driver for the 
middle intervale, Nathaniel Danford for the upper intervale, and 
Joseph Eastman for the lower intervale. Thirty pounds was 
voted to the highways. 

Voted, that the undivided meadows be divided for the 3'ear, as 
follows, — viz., " that those men who are dwellers at said planta- 
tion, shall mow or cut their due proportion of said meadows, ac- 
cording to their rates ; and the remaining part of said meadow 
shall be divided among the inhabitants in equality." 

Sept. 14. Meeting at Contoocook ; John Brown moderator. 

Voted to lay out to each proprietor a lot containing one hun- 
dred acres of land. This was the third divisio7i. Richard Jack- 
man, John Eowler, John Coffin, Ensign Joseph Gerrish, John 
Brown, and Thomas Thorla were appointed a committee to make 
the division. 




%.* 




(__^yvf'->^^^^i^^t^o^y-?i fJ^^^i'-^^-a^ry^Z.^^ 



17i3.] CIVIL HISTORY. 37 

GETTING READY FOR THE INDIANS. 

For a period of ten years the inhabitants hai lived in compara- 
tive security, hut now the Indians, stimulated by the French, 
■were committing depredations all along the frontier. The citi- 
zens prepared for defence, and laid in a stock of ammunition, as 
will he seen by the record. Fourteen pounds of powder, fifty-six 
pounds of bullets, and twenty-four flints were obtained by George 
Jackman for the defence of the settlement. 
[From the Records.] 

" Newbury Oct 31, 1743. by the desire of the proprietors I make an 
entry of the request of Dea George Jackman for the warlike stores de- 
livered to him as followeth : Viz: we received of henry Rolfe,jr four 
pounds of gunpowder & fifty-six pounds of ballets and twenty-four 
flints, & we received of Benjamin pettengiU ten pounds of powder. And 
the said stores are sent up by said Jackman for the use of Contoocook 
proprietors to be kept in some secure place together untill there be an 
Occasion for said stores to be used in a warlike manner then to be 
distributed out according to division of said George Jackman or some 
other person chosen for said service. 

Joseph Coffin 

Prop. Clerk.-' 

FIRST MILITARY ORGANIZATION. 

The people of Hopkinton, and of other towns, were abandoning 
their homes ; but the settlers of Contoocook had no intention of 
leaving. They organized themselves into a military company, 
and petitioned the governor to appoint the officers they had 
chosen. 
" To His Excellency &c 

" AVe the Undersigned Being Soldiers of Contoocook Do Humbly 
Desire Your Excellency to Grant to Mr John RoUins of said town a 
Captain's Commission & Likewise a Left & Insins Commission to two 
other Men of said town whom he the sd Rollins shall Nominate the 
Performance v/hereof will Greatly oblige your Humble & Dutiful Ser- 
vants. 
" Contoocook Nov ye SD'^i 1743. 

Jacob Flanders Thomas Cook 

Ambrose Goold Benjamene Dudy 

Josiah Bishop Thomas Eastman 

Enos Bishop Nathaniel Danford 

John EUet [Elliot] Jesse Flanders 



88 CIVIL HISTORY. [1743. 

Thomas Manuel John Flanders 

William Dagiden Moses Call 

John Boin [Bowen] Sinkler Bean 

Jacob Flanders jim'or Daniel Rolf 

John Fowler Daniel Barker 

Ezekiel Flanders William Danford 

Richard Flood John Call 

John Johnson Nathaniel Meloon 

William Peters Samuel Emmery- 
Andrew Bohonon ' William Emmery." 
Edward Fitzgerald 

The name of John Eollins does not appear elsewhere upon the 
records. It may he supposed that he was a new comer, quite 
likely had seen military service, and was selected as captain on 
that account. It is not probahle that he remained long in Con- 
toocook. 

Oct. 17. Met at Contoocook, hut without transacting any busi- 
ness, adjourned to Oct. 30. 

^'■Voied that there should be raised £126 in old tenor exclusive of 
the then inhabitants to pay the charges arisen already in fortifying 
round the Reverend Mr. Phiueas Stephens dwelling house in the year 
1744." 

PETITION TO GOV. WEXTWOKTH. 

The inhabitants sent the following petition to Governor Went- 
worth : 
"To His Excellency Benning Wentworth &c. 

"The Petition of ye Inhabitants of a Plantation called Contoocook in 
ye s'' province of New Hampshire Hereby Sheweth : 

"That when as your Humble Petitioners being certainly informed of a 
Declaration of a war Between ye Kings of England & France, and There- 
fore Looking upon ourselves as exposed continually to ye attacks of ye 
Indians, who are subjects to ye King of France, and we would Beg 
Humbly to Lay our case before your Excellency: 

" May it Please your Excellency we have Been at Great expense & 
Labor in Bringing to ye settlements in ye plantation so far as thay are 
at this time by settling a gospel minister, erecting Houses, subduing 
Lands, and Bringing too a considerable Quantity of Wilderness & in 
erecting proper Fortifications for Defense in case of an Indian war, 
one of which was built in ye year 1739, a building of considerable ex- 
pense to ye proprietors & of great consequence to ye inhabitants being 



1744.] CIVIL HISTORY. 3.9 

100 feet square & all this to advance ye Kingdom of Christ in ye world 
& farther to enlarge & advance his Majesty's Dominions in the Ameri- 
can continent. We have likewise been at great expense & cost in 
erecting houses, to dwell in and in moving from our habitation, the 
most of us into s'' part in order for our security till proper help shall ar- 
rive to us for want of Avhich many persons have Removed & now are 
Removing from us to the Great Discouragement of those that tarry be- 
hind and all tho we might Defend our selves in our Fortification yet we 
can't support our selves because we have none to guard us in our Busi- 
ness and moreover the commanding officer in the place has so far neg- 
lected the people that they are very uneasy he never having called them 
together since he Rec<* his commission Refusing to Repair the fort or to 
take any care of the people in it never setting a watch or ward so that 
the Inhabitants are without a leader. Yet they have constantly kept a 
watch & ward in said fort or garrison. Those with many others are the 
Difficultys we Labor under two many to be here Enumerated of which 
we Humbly Beg Redress of your Excellency in such ways an raaner as 
your Excellency in wisdom shall think Best & your humble Petitioners 
will ever pray. 

" Contoocook, June ye 5, 1744. 

Richard flood William Emery 

Richard Jackman Moses Burbank 

John Cowsir [Corser?] Nathaniel Meloon 

Joseph Easmau Ezekiel Flanders 

John Fowler Josiah Bishop 

Andrew Bohonon George Jackmaa 

Jacob Flanders Samuel Emery" 
Daniel Rolfe 

THE FIRST ATTACK. 

Tlie first attack of the Indians upon Contoocook was made 
about tliis time, tliougli the exact date is unknown. Josiah 
Bishop, who was at work in his field at the lower end of King 
street, was surprised by a party of Indians. They took him into 
the woods, probably up the rocky hill west of the lower end of King 
street. He made an outcry, and quite likely preferred death 
to captivity. As was subsequently learned from the Indians, he 
resisted bravely, and they dispatched him with their tomahawks. 
The capture naturally threw the settlement into commotion ; but 
the citizens having located their homes, determined to defend 
them. The summer was one of great anxiety. The families took 



40 CIVIL HISTORY. [1746. 

refuge in tlie garrisons, while sentinels were ever on the watch 
while the citizens were at work. 

The committee appointed to lay out the third division of land — 
the one-hundred-acre lots — reported that they had performed the 
work assigned them. One hundred and twenty-two pounds, old 
tenor, was voted to defray the expense of the same. 

Nov. 21. Meeting at John Mancher's tavern, Newbury. At 
this meeting no business was transacted except the choice of 
assessors and collectors. 

THE CANTERBURY GARRISON. 

Canterbury had erected a strong garrison. The settlers of 
that plantation were equally determined with those of Contoo- 
cook not to abandon their homes through fear of the Indians. 
The Canterbury settlement had made greater progress than that 
of Contoocook, and was much stronger in numbers. A garrison 
was established, and Jeremiah Clough, one of the energetic set- 
tlers, commissioned captain. Being on the cast side of the river, 
and more accessible than Contoocook to Portsmouth, the residence 
of the new governor, it became the rendezvous for all scouting 
parties. 

In the month of June, Capt. Clough had a force of twenty men 
under him, but as the simimer waned it was reduced to six men, — 
one of whom was Philip Call, whose wife was murdered subse- 
quently, as we shall see, by the Indians. Another of his soldiers 
was Christo, a friendly Indian, whose wigwam once stood on the 
east side of the Merrimack, a short distance below the falls of Amos- 
keag, probably not far from the spot now occupied by the Print 
Works in Manchester. 

June 4. The proprietors raised £250 for the salary of Mr. 
Stevens and other expenses, and the usual officers were chosen. 

1746. Early in the year the Indians began their depredations. 

THE OUTBREAK. 

On April 27, the Indians entered the garrison at Hopkinton, 
which had been left insecure by some one going out early in the 
morning, and, finding everybody asleep, captured the entire house- 
hold, consisting of Samuel Burbank, his sons Caleb and Jonathan, 
and David Woodwell, wife, and three children. 



1746. j CIVIL HISTORY. 41 

Governor Wentworth ordered a detacliment of horse to proceed 
to Canterbury and Contooeook. Capt. John Goffe was ordered to 
raise fifty men. In six days he was on his way to Contooeook, 
leaving Derry field on May 3, and reaching Penacook that night. 
But the Indians were ahead of him. They fell upon a party of 
men at work near Clay hill, and killed Thomas Cook, who had 
built a cabin on Little brook, about a mile north of the meeting- 
house on Corser hill, and for whom Cook's hill was named. He 
had fled from that locality for fear of the Indians. Another of 
the party was Csesar, Rev. Mr. Stevens's slave. He was a strong, 
athletic man, and made a brave fight, and lost his life in conse- 
quence. Another of the party was Elisha Jones, who was taken 
captive, carried to Canada, and sold to a Frenchman. He died 
wliile a prisoner. 

The attack was made on Monday, May 4. The news reached 
Penacook that evening, for we find Capt. Goffe at midnight writ- 
ing a letter to Gov. Wentworth. 

CAPT. GOFFe's letter. 

" 5 May 1746 
" May it please your Excellency 

" I got to Pennycook on Satui'day early in the morning & notwith- 
standing I sent the Monday after I left the Bank [Strawberry Bank, or 
Portsmouth?], yet my bread was not baked but there was about two 
hundred & fifty weight baken, which supply[ed] 20 men, which I sent to 
Canterbury as soon as I got here, & I kept the baker & several 
Soldiers to baking all Sabbath day & purposed to march on Mon- 
day as soon as possible ; but about midnight two men came down from 
Contooeook & brought the unhappy news of two men being killed, & 
the two men that came down told me that they saw the two men lye in 
their blood, & one man more that was missing, & hearing that I was 
here, desired me to assist in making search; so that I am with all ex- 
pedition going up to Contooeook, & will do what I can to see the en- 
emy. I shall take all possible care for the protection of the frontiers & 
destruction of the enemy. The Indians are all about our frontiers. I 
think there never was more need of soldiers than now. It is enough to 
make one's blood cold in one's veins, to see our fellow creatures killed 
and taken upon every quarter, & if we cannot catch them here, I hope 
the Gk;neral Court will give encouragement to go & give them the same 
play at home. The white man that is killed is one Thomas Cook & the 
other is Mr Steven's the minister's negro. These are found & Jones, 



42 CIVIL HISTORY. [1746. 

the soldier is not found. They having but a few soldiers at the fort, 
have not as yet sought much for him. I am going with all possible 
expedition & am 

" Your Excellency's most humble & most dutiful 

Subject & servant 

JOIIX GOFFE 

" Pennycook about 2 of the clock in the Morning, My 5"> 1746." 

Goffe kept on the scout two weeks, but, as was afterwards 
known, the Indians hastened to Canada with Jones and the cap- 
tives taken at Hopkinton. Tlie people of Contoocook little knew 
that all through Sunday after the attack at Hopkinton the Ind- 
ians were secreted on the " Mountain/' looking down upon the 
garrison ; that they saw the people as they marched to meeting, 
each man shouldering his gun. The Indians, in numbers, were 
as many as the settlers, but did not dare attempt a surprise. 

Capt. Goffe went up the Merrimack, probably, as far as Ply- 
mouth. He was gone from Derryfield twenty days. He made a 
second scout, and was gone thirteen days, but saw no Indians, 
for the reason that they had hastened to Canada with their cap- 
tives. 

The attack at Clay hill was in the ravine near the crossing of 
Cold l)rook, but in the vicinity of the present brick-yards. 

In early days it was popularly supposed that the blood-stains of 
a murdered man never could be effaced ; and fifty j-ears ago there 
were persons in town who could discern the identical stains up- 
on the rocks, made by the blood of Thomas Cook. Persons of a 
cooler temperament and less vivid imaginations never were quite 
able, however, to distinguish the blood-stains from those produced 
by the oxidation of the rock. 

On the 27th of June the Indians made an attack on Eochester, 
killing four men and capturing two. This attack, so near Ports- 
mouth, produced great alarm. Capt. Drake, of Hampton, was or- 
dered out with his company to protect Nottingham. Capt. An- 
drew Todd, of Londonderry, with twenty-three men, was ordered 
to Canterbury ; while Capt. Daniel Todd, of Exeter, with thirty 
men, was ordered to Contoocook. Ladd was ordered out for 
three months. He marched on from Exeter on the 14th of July. 
His clerk, Abner Clough, kept a journal, from which we have a 
clear account of Capt. Ladd's movements. 



1746.] CIVIL HISTORY. 43 

ABNER CLOUGh's JOURXAL. 

The company left Exeter July 14, reached Rumford (Concord) 
on the 19th, and on the 21st marched to Canterbury. The 
marches of the 23d, 24th, and 25th are thus narrated : 

" On the 23d day took 10 more men — marched to Contoocook — so 
ranged about the town, & at night set out several scouts in & near the 
houses near the fort, but made no discovery. 

" On the 24th day enlisted two more men. Early in the morning 
marched about 2 miles & discovered a fire, but as we found out was 
made by Contoocook men 3 days before. And we thought by the look 
of the fire that the Indians had been there & but a little while gone. 
Then we marched about half a mile & then we discovered Indian tracks 
very plain. And from there marched to a place called Contoocook 
pond [Great pond], & scouted round about the Pond, but could 
make no discovery. And from thence toBlackwater falls. And one of 
our men says he saw an Indian very plain as he was some distance from 
the Scout, as he saith. And we ranged about but could make no fur- 
ther discovery, then marched over several brooks & low places, but could 
make no discovery, & so marched to a river called Currier Sarge river 
& found some camps supposed to be Indian camps, & there camped in 
the Intervale. And it rained hard all night. This days march about 
17 miles. 

" On the 25th, marched to a pond called Almsbury Pond [Tucker's 
pond] & ranged about said pond, made no discovery, & from there 
marched to Contoocook falls, & scouted up& down the river & made no 
discovery ; and crossed the river & marched to a place called Hopkinton 
[near Hopkinton viUage] & there camped about the farther end of the 
town & that Fort where there were e'ght persons taken & captivated, 
but we could make no late discovery there, then we marched down 
about 2 miles towards Rumford to another garrison, where the people 
were deserted from & there made a halt. Then scouted round a field, 
then went into the Garrison & in a cellar found a mare and two colts, 
which we took them out of the cellar alive. It was supposed by the 
scouts in general that the said horses had been in the cellar 10 days & 
been put in by the Indians. We also discovered some part of a dead 
creature supposed to have been killed by the Indians & left. At 
night marched to Rumford & camped. This day's march about 16 
miles." — iV. H. Hist. Soc. Col, Vol. IV. 

The route taken by Capt. Ladd evidently was from the foot of 
King street across Cold brook, and towards Great pond. It is 
probable that a path had been opened in that direction during 



44 CIVIL HISTORY. [1746. 

tlie thirteen j'-ears that the town had been settled. Whether Capt. 
Ladd passed round the pond to the south, or to tlie north, or 
whether the Blackwater falls were those directly west of the pond, 
or the falls at SaA' eatt's mills, or b}^ Burhank's mill, can only be 
conjectured; but the probabilities are that the "falls" were those 
directly Avest of the pond, and the route of the company AA-as along 
the southern shore. 

It is also evident that the route from the falls AA'as directly up 
the riA^er to West Salisbury. What stream Currier Sarge river 
may have been is not certain, — whether the mountain brook that 
empties into the BlackAvater through the West Salisbury mead- 
ows, or the Blackwater itself; quite likely the latter. Abner 
Clougli Avas Avholly unacquainted Avith the country, and may not 
have clearly understood that Blackwater falls were upon Black- 
Avater riA^er. 

KEARSAEGE MOUNTAIN". 

This reference to Currier Sarge is one of the first on record. 
The Indians called the mountain CoxoisseioaschooJc. This name 
is given on Captain Holland's map, printed in London, 1784, also 
the name "Kj^ar Sargu Mt." 

Although much has been Avritten in regard to the orthography 
of the Avord, there is as yet nothing satisfactory in regard to its 
origin. From the fact that Abner Clough Avrites it "Currier Sarge,'' 
it is evident that the name was well knoAvn at that early date. 

" Almsbury pond " is clearly Tucker's pond, in the north-east 
corner of Warner. The toAvn of Warner had been granted in 
1735 to proprietors mainly resident in Amesbury, Mass., and the 
grant was called Amesbury. The plot had been survej^ed, but no 
settlement Avas made till 1749, when four log houses w^ere erected 
at the present village of Davisville, but never were permanently 
occupied. They were subsequently burned by the Indians. No 
other attempt Avas made to settle the town till 1764. 

The route of Capt. Ladd from Tucker's pond Avas doAvn the 
Amesbury or Warner river to Contoocookville, and thence to 
Hopldnton village. 

The Indians were accustomed to frequent the falls on the riA'ers 
to catch salmon, and hence the moA'ements of Capt. Ladd to their 
favorite haunts. 





...cti^-^^rx^ 



/- 



174G.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 45 



Captain Ladd went from Penacook to tlie Sun cook valley, to 
Epsom, Nottingham, and Exeter, where he arrived July 31st, and 
dismissed his men till the oth of August, when he started on 
a second expedition. He reached Penacook on the 10th. On the 
11th occurred the massacre at Penacook, on the road leading to 
Hopkinton, in which Samuel Bradley, Jonathan Bradley, Obadiah 
Peters, John Lufkin, and John Bean were killed, and Alex- 
ander Eoberts and Wm. Stickney taken prisoners. Daniel Gil- 
man escaped, and gave the alarm at the Penacook garrison. 

Capt. Ladd scoured the country. We quote from Clough's jour- 
nal of his movements in Canterbury and Contoocook : 

"Oa tlie 17tli day on Sunday, marched to Canterbury, & went to 
meeting some part of the day. And on the 18th day went down to the 
Intervale in order to guard some people about some work, but it rained 
all day. 

" On the 19th went to the Intervale to guard some people about some 
work. We guarded some & scouted some. And on the 20th day it 
rained in the forenoon. And in the afternoon we scouted some in the 
woods but made no discovery. But Capt. Talford, with his men discov- 
ered where there had laid some Indians in ambush, & also found where 
some Indians had roasted some corn. And on the 21st went down to 
the lower end of the Town, to guard some people about some work. 

" On the 22d went down to the lower end of the Town to guard 
some people — but made no discovery. 

" On the 23d day early in the morning, marched away from the fort 
in order to go to the Intervale to guard some people about some work ; 
but when we had marched about half a mile from the fort, we marched 
across a field & found where there lay two Indians & had but just gone, 
for the grass seemed to rise up after them. We ranged about the 
woods after them ; but found where several more lay & where they run 
off. We supposed that these two Indians lay there for spies. We went 
to the Intervale & guarded some people about work & made no other 
discovery. 

" And on the 24th day, on Sunday, marched along across the woods to 
the upper end of Canterbury lower Intervale & there crossed the river 
and from there to Contoocook mills, & from there ranged along the 
woods to the backside of Contoocook mountain, And there ranged in a 
single rank v.'here there were several likely places for lookout for en- 
emies—And Capt. Ladd fell down and hurt his leg— something, But we 
could make no late discovery of the enemy. And at night returned to 
Canterbury Fort." 



46 CIVIL HISTORY. [1747. 

Capt. Lacld extended liis protection as far east as Rochester, and 
continued in service till tlie close of September. 

proprietors' meeting. 

Dec. 15. Meeting of projirietors at Contoocook. 

"Voted to raise £240 old tenor to pay ministerial and other 
expenses." 

Voted to petition " the great & General Court of tlii.s Province 
praying that the Honorable Court would be pleased to take our 
distressed case under their most prudent consideration relating to 
the war." 

A fort was built, during the year 1746, on the Winnepisaukee 
river, near wliat is now Union Bridge, in Sanbornton, called Fort 
Atkinson. Two forts were also built in the Connecticut valley ; 
Fort Dummer, at Hinsdale, and the other, " No. 4," at Charlestown. 

PETITION OF CONTOOCOOK, PENACOOK, AND CANTERBURY FOB 
PROTECTION FROM INDIANS. 

"To his excellency Benuing Wentworth Esq Captain General & 
Governor & Commander iu chief in & over His Majesty's Province 
of New Hampshire, 
" To his Honorable, his Majesty's Council & House of Representa- 
tives in General Assembly Con veined the 12 th day of Sept 1747 
" The Petition of Phineas Stevens, Ebenezer Eastman & Jeremiah 
Clough in behalf of themselves & the inhabitants of Contoocook, Penny- 
cook & Canterbury in said Province most humbly shews: 

" That the said Place are frontiers & lay open and exposed unto the 
French & Indian Enemy. 

" That they are not able to protect & defend themselves in case of a 
vigorous attack from the Enemy, which they have reasoa to fear may 
be the case as soon as there shall be snow sufficient to travel on 
snow shoes. 

" That unless they are protected the Inhabitants will be under a ne- 
cessity to break up & leave their habitations & so consequently the fron- 
tier will be best nearer. 

'^That your Petitioners humbly conceive it will be much better for 
the Province to have those places Protected than to have them broken 
up. 

"Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray your Excellency & Honor 



1747.] CIVIL HISTORY. 47 

to take their petition under wise consideration & be pleased to grant 
such a number of men for each of the before mentioned places & for 
such time as your Excellency & Honors shall seem most and reason- 
able, your Petitioners in duty bound shall ever pray. 

PiiiNEAS Stkvexs 



" In Council Nov 12, 1747 

" Head & sent down to the House, 



Ebknezer Eastman 
Jeremiah Clough 



Theodore Atkixson 

Secy " 



PROPRIETOKS' MEETIlSfGS. 

June 30. Josepli Coffin, Joseph Gerrisli, and Moses Gerrish 
were chosen a committee " to lay before his Excellency Benning 
Wentworth Esq &c & honorable Court of his Majestie's province 
of New Hampshire the circumstances of said plantation as soon 
as may be convenient." 

Nov. 17. Raised £250 old tenor for the ministry and other 
expenses. 

Voted that the expenses of the meeting be paid by the whole 
proprietors. The expense amounted to 40s. old tenor — about 
$1.50. 

Joseph Gerrish was authorized to petition the General Court 
to invest the proprietors with power to gather the taxes levied on 
the proprietors of Contoocook tliat lived on the plantation. Up 
to this time there had been much difficulty in collecting the 
taxes of non-residents, and further legislation was necessary. 

Joseph Coffin was allowed £9 10s. old tenor for his services in 
presenting the petition of 1747 to the " Great & General Court." 

PETITION. 

" To His excellency Benning Wentworth &c 

" The Petition of the Proprietors of the Plantation called Contoocook 
in the Province of New Hampshire humbly sheweth : 

" That your Petitioners have had a minister of the Gospel settled 
among them for about the space of seven years. That notwithstanding 
the Difficulties arrising from the War he hitherto has continued at said 
Plantation and would still continue there if supported & maintained by 
the Proprietors. That for want of a Law to Enable and Impower the 



48 CIVIL HISTORY. [1747. 

said Proprietors to Raise money & Collect the same for the support of 
the minister there the Burden thereof lyeth on a few wherefore your 
Petitioners most humbly pray your excellency and Honors that by a 
special act they may be authorized and Iinpowered thereunto and that 
not only the Lands of Residents but also of the Non Resident Proprie- 
tors may be rated towards the support of the ministry there for such 
time and in such Proportion as shall be judged reasonable by your ex- 
cellency and Honors, & Your Petitioners will ever pray for the Grant- 
ing of said petition. 

Joseph Cofkix 

for & in behalf of the Committee of said Proprietors 

"Nov 13, 1747 

" In Council read & concurred and ordered to be sent down to the 

Honorable House. 

Theodore Atkixsox 

Secry." 

CONCORD GRIST-MILL. 

The nearest grist-mill was tliat at Eumford, owned by Henry 
Lovejoy and Baracliias Farnum, and situated at Millville. The 
depredations of the Indians caused its abandonment ; Avhereupon 
a petition was addressed to Gov. Wentworth, by the citizens of 
Contoocook, Canterbury, and Eumford, for a company of soldiers 
to protect it. 
" To His Excellency &c 

*♦ The petition of the subscribers Inhabitants of Rumford Canterbury 
& Contoocook Humbly sheweth : 

" That v/e especially at the two last named places are greatly dis- 
tressed for want of suitable Grist mills ; that Henry Lovejoy has 
at great expense erected a good mill at a place most advantageously 
situated to accommodate the three towns; that it is the only mill in all 
the three towns that stands under the command of the guns of the 
garrison ; that the ill consequences of abandoning the said garrison the 
year past has been severely felt by us; that the said Lovejoy appears 
desirous of residing there again provided he might be favored with such 
a number of soldiers as just to keep his garrison with a tolerable de- 
gree of safety & that as additional encouragement to us to appear as 
petitioners on his behalf to your Excellency & Honors to grant our said 
petition, he will become engaged with all convenient sped to erect a 
foro-e for the making of Bar Iron which may stand under the command 
of the said garrison; which undertaking would be probably vastley ad- 
vantar^eous to all the towns & plantations up this way, as well as the 
general interest of the Province."' 



1748.] CIVIL HISTORY. 49 

The petition was signed by 36 citizens of Eumford, 18 of Can- 
terbury, and 17 of Contoocook. Their names are 

Stephen Gerrish, William Emery, 

John Towle, Joel Manuel, 

George Jackman, John Flanders, 

Eichard Jackman, Philip Flanders, 

Eichard Flood, Stephen Call, 

Jacob Flanders, Eev. Phineas Stevens, 

William Peters, Nathaniel Malloon, 

Philip Caul, William Danford. 

John Corser, 
The petition bears date Jan., 1747-8 — meaning January, 1748. 

LORDS PROPRIETORS. 

Although the settlers had received their grant in due form 
from the government of Massachusetts, they suddenly found 
themselves confronted by a prior claim, — one advanced by the 
heirs-at-law of Capt. John Mason, of England, a powerful body of 
men known as Lords Proprietors. It was the old question of juris- 
diction, not between the colonies, but between those in actual 
possession and those who claimed possession. 

At a meeting held February 1, Moses Gerrish, Joseph Cofifin, 
and John Brown were appointed to make terms with the claim- 
ants. The heirs of Mason had sold their claim to all lands in the 
colony to twelve persons for the sum of £1,500, and these twelve 
persons were called the Lords Proprietors — composed of some of 
the nobility of England. Quite likely the purchasers were looking 
to their own aggrandizement when they made the purchase ; pos- 
sibly they ma}'- have entertained the idea that they could compel 
those in possession to pay a second time for their lands ; but the 
resolute attitude taken by the plantations soon dispelled all such 
illusions, if they had been entertained. They prudently abandoned 
all attempts to recover damages in towns east of the Merrimack, 
but still laid claim to those west of that stream. 

The committee opened negotiations, which continued till 1753, 
when the lords proprietors, probably thinking that little could be 
recovered, honorably gave a quit-claim deed, and the settlers 
remained in possession of the lands. 

A cessation of hostilities had been agreed upon between France 
4 



50 CIVIL HISTORY. [1748. 

and England, but the settlers relaxed none of their vigilance, in 
regard to the Indians, during the jeav. Most of them lived in 
or near the garrison. 

THE BEGIJfXING OF RELIGIOUS DISSENT. 

At the meeting of tlie iiroprietors, held May 25, £250 was 
raised for the support of the ministry. One of the proprietors, 
Samuel Fowler, Esq., entered his dissent against such an appro- 
priation of money. Mr. Fowler espoused the cause of the Friends, 
and his dissent did not lie in any factious opposition to preaching. 
He was a w^orthy gentleman — had the welfare of the settlement 
at heart — hut he was opposed to all union of church and state, 
and conscientiously desired a separation of civil and ecclesiastical 
affairs. He was a proprietor, residing at Newbury, though at a 
later period he removed to Contoocook. He entered his protest, 
but paid his money, and doubtless rejoiced that the people could 
have preaching; but he w^anted voluntary and not compulsory 
action. Fifty years later the whole community came to the same 
conclusion. 

jSTov. 30. A meeting of the proprietors was held at John 
Mancher's tavern, in Newbury. A committee, consisting of Ben- 
jamin Lunt, Henry Eolfe, Jr., John Brown, and Capt. Joseph 
Gerrish, was chosen to settle with Joseph "Willet and Benjamin 
Pettengill, former collectors, " and examine how much they have 
paid Reverend Mr. Phineas Stevens in their collection." The 
committee was empowered to settle with Mr. Stevens, and report 
at the next meeting. 





C/c^^ 



A, 



1750.] 



OHAPTEK lY. 

THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

^^HE annual meeting of the proprietors was held at Contoo- 
^^ cook, May 24. The chief item of interest was the report of 
the committee appointed in ISTovemher to settle with Rev. Mr. 
Stevens. It appears that Mr. Stevens had been paid his salary 
in bills of credit. Technically, he had received his due ; but the 
bills of credit had greatly depreciated, and the high-minded citi- 
zens felt that he was justly entitled to remuneration. He prefer- 
red no claim ; but higher than any legal claim was the moral 
obligation to do justly. The settlers and proprietors fully recog- 
nized it. The committee reported as follows : 

" That by reason of the depreciation of the bills of credit in which 
Mr Steven's salary had been paid he has a just claun on them for in- 
demnity & that £300 Old tenor be paid him." 

ho:n'orable action. 

Samuel Fowler, Esq., before mentioned, entered his protest in 
writing. It was, as before, a question of conscience — the severing 
of church and state — with him, not of hostility to Mr. Stevens, 
or of indifference to the claims of religion, or the benefits arising 
from a settled ministry. It was a protest for a vital principle. 

The proprietors recognized Mr. Eowler's right of protestation, 
and also his rights of conscience. They at once abated his tax, 
thus showing their own liberal principles. They were in no sense 
bigots, but in this year — 1750 — recognized the great j^rinciple of 
individual freedom, fifty years in advance of its recognition by the 
community at large. 

Mr. Fowler soon after moved from Newbury to Contoocook, and 



52 CIVIL HISTORY. [1752. 

became a useful, public-spirited, liberal citizen. Although taxes 
for the support of the minister were afterwards assessed upon him, 
it was as a matter of form, in compliance with the law, and they 
were uniformly abated. Mr. Fowler was a lawyer — the first of 
the profession in the town. 

The proprietors had already petitioned to be incorporated as a 
town, but the petition had not been granted. A second applica- 
tion was made during the year, but without success. 

]May 22, 1751. The proprietors met, and chose the usual offi- 
cers, and voted to open a way to the upper intervale — the way 
now used, leading from King street, a short distance south of the 
present meeting-house on the Plain. 

The proprietors were assessed ten shillings, old tenor. A tax 
was levied sufficient to pay the salary of Mr. Stevens for the 
year. 

THE SECOND FORT. 

1752. The chief item of interest in the call for the annual 
meeting of the proprietors was the erection of a second fort. The 
meeting was held May 20, and the following vote was passed : 

" Voted to raise £200 old tenor to be laid out in building a garrison 
or fort & to be built forthwith and to be set on Samuel Gerrish's lot 
which was originally laid out unto Richard Greenough said fort to be 
one hundred & ten feet Square or otherwise as the committee shall 
Judge allowing said building to cover the land." 

The sum of £100 was raised to fortify Eev. Mr. Stevens's 
house. 

This second fort was erected on the hill near the house occu- 
pied by Prof. Jackman. Mr. Stevens's house stood upon the site 
of that at present occupied by Mr. Jacob Hosmer. 

Messrs. Stephen Gerrish, Jacob Flanders, and Pochard Jackman 
were placed in charge of the work. It is probable that this forti- 
fication stood on the site of the smaller fort, erected during the 
previous troubles, on Mr. Jackman's land. 

SABATIS AXD PLANSAWA. 

The Indians accustomed to frequent the Merrimack valley were 
the Arosaguntacook tribe, or the St. Prancis Indians, many of 
whom had accepted Christianity from the Jesuit fathers, with St. 



1752.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 53 



Francis as their patron saint. Tlieir Christianity was not very 
deep : it did not tonch the heart or life, hnt was an exchange of 
" Medicines." The Virgin Mary and St. Francis became their 
new "Medicines." 

Since 1749 they had been on friendly terms with the settlers at 
Contoocook and Canterbury, came and went at their pleasure, 
and were kindly treated. Two of them, Sabatis and Plansawa, 
were frequent visitors. Their names, doubtless, are corruptions. 
Sa-batis is the Indian pronunciation of Jean Baptiste ; while 
Plansawa, or, more correctly, Plawnsawa, is the Indian form of 
Francois. The St. Francis tribe used P instead of S, and L in- 
stead of K, in their attempts to pronounce the names given them 
by the Jesuit fathers. Ballard— JSF. H. Hist. Soc, viii, U3- 

' The settlers of the Connecticut valley were making prepara- 
tions to occupy the rich meadows of the great " ox-bow," at Hav- 
erhill and Newbury, ascending the Connecticut from "No. 4," 
Charlestown ; and the Indians, jealous of what they regarded an 
encroachment upon their domain, threatened retaliation. Sud- 
denly Sabatis and Plansaw^a disappeared, carrying off as pri.-^on- 
ers two slaves, — one belonging to Mr. Miles, and the other to Mr. 
Lindsey, of Canterbury. One of the negroes made his escape, 
while the other was taken to Crown Point, and sold to a French 
officer. 

BEGINNING OF TROUBLES. 

At this time the sturdy frontiersmen engaged in hunting dur- 
ing the autumn and winter months. Among others who passed 
through Contoocook to the upper Merrimack, and its tributaries 
and connecting ponds, were Jolm and William Stark, of Derry- 
field ; also, David Stinson and Amos Eastman. John Stark 
was twent3'--six years old, having been born on August 28, 1728. 
The four hunters proceeded up Baker's river to the present town 
of Rumney. They discovered an Indian trail, and decided to 
leave the locality. John went out, on April 28, to take up his 
traps. While thus engaged, he found himself surrounded by Ind- 
ians. He made no attempt to escape, and gave himself up with- 
out resistance. The Indians asked him to lead the Avay to the 
camp, and he took them in the opposite direction. The other 
hunters, alarmed at his absence, started down the river. The 



54 CIVIL HISTORY. [1752. 

Indians, discovering the trick John had played them, hastened 
down the valley, and intercepted the hunters the next morning at 
daybreak. Eastman was on the shore, and was at once captured. 
William Stark and Stinson were in a boat. The river, though 
swollen by melting snows, is at the best a small stream, and a 
stroke of the paddle would carry the boat to either shore. John 
called to them, and told them to leap to the other bank. William 
obeyed, and escaped : Stinson was killed while in the boat. The 
bullet aimed at William missed him, but passed through the pad- 
dle which he held, for John had fearlessly struck aside the gun in 
the hands of the Indian. William arrived in Contoocook the next 
day, and gave the alarm. A party went up from Contoocook and 
Kumford, and found Stinson's body, stripped of its clothes, and 
scalped. The Indians had fled. The party returned in safety, 
bringing the paddle which had been pierced by the ball aimed 
at William. John was taken to Canada, where, when called 
upon to run the gauntlet, he seized a cudgel from the hands 
of the nearest Indian, swung it right and left, and laid about him 
so lustily that, instead of beating him, they made all haste to 
escape his blows. Such intrepidity made him a great favorite. 
He was set to work with the squaws to hoe corn ; but he cut up 
corn and weeds alike, and ended the matter by throwing the hoe 
into the river. That pleased the Indians, and he had a light cap- 
tivity, which ended in August following. 

These incursions of the Indians kept the settlement in constant 
alarm ; but the season passed without an attack. 

APPKEXTICES. 

At this period, and for nearly a century thereafter, apprentices 
were bound to service by legal indentures. The duties and obli- 
gations of a party taking an apprentice will be seen from an in- 
denture, given in this year 1752, by Nathaniel Meloon : 

" Contoocook Oct 19, 1752 

" I the subscriber Nathaniel Meloon Promise & Engage to Use my 
Endeavor to Instruct John Harris in Husbandry work from y« day of 
the date hereof till he is of the age of twenty one years and during the 
whole of sd Time to provide for & give to sd Harris Sufficient Meat, 
drink, washing Lodging & Clothing also to teach or cause him to be 
taught to read, write & Cypher if he be capable of Learning and at the 



1753.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 55 



age of twenty one years to dismiss sd Harris & give him two New 

Suits of Apparrel Home Made from head to feet,— and upon failure of 

any of the Above Articles do hereby bind and oblige myself to pay to 

Stephen Gerrish of Contoocook the Sam of one hundred pounds l.aw- 

fuU Money. In confirmation of all which I have hereunto set ray hand 

the day & year above written 

Nathaniel Meloon 

"Testis 

"Phineas Stevens." 

NEW STYLE. 

In order to rectify the errors that had groAVii into the calendar of 
the year by the procession of the equinoxes_. Pope Gregory XIII 
established a new one, October 5, 1582, in which ten days were 
omitted. The New Style was adopted in France, Spain, Denmark, 
and Portugal the same year; hut England, being a Protestant 
country, held on to the old calendar till 1752, when by act of 
Parliament eleven days were stricken out to make the calendar 
compare with that of other countries, — thus establishing the New 
Style. 

ROAD TO COOS. 

A connnittee was appointed by the N. H. Assembly to sur- 
vey and mark a road to Coos. It consisted of Zacheus Love- 
well of Dunstable, John Talford of Chester, and Caleb Page of 
Starkstown. They hired sixteen men at Amoskeag, Penacook, 
and Contoocook. The party was out twenty^-two days. Jonathan 
Burbank, Benjamin Eastman, and Peter Bowen joined it from 
Contoocook. John Stark was the pilot, and one of the men was 
Robert Eogers, afterwards the celebrated ranger. 

THE CURRENCY. 

Ma^y 30. Voted to raise a sum sufficient to pay Mr. Stevens, 
according to the original agreement. 

" Voted to raise eight pounds lawful money equal to £00 old tenor, 
to defray necessary charges." 

From this vote we are able to ascertain the value of the cur- 
rency. This depreciation added greatly to the hardships of the 
colonists. The Indians were troublesome, and many families 
were obliged to remove to the garrison, the men going out in 
companies to work on their farms. 



56 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



[1753. 



Ill connection v.'itli tliis meeting there is tlie following record : 
" Whereas there is several men in this Society that hath proposed to 
work on the highways Gratis, Jacob Flanders is choose to take a suit- 
able time to invite said men to work on the way called Ciay hill, and 
take the names of them that v/orketh." 

Kotwithstanding the hardships of the time, the colonists were 
prompt in two things, — in paj'ing the minister every shilling 
in accordance with the original agreement, and improving their 
highways. They were also prompt in looking after the claim set 
up l)y the heirs of Capt. John Mason. Joseph Coffin, Joseph Ger- 
rish, and John Fowler were appointed " to wait on the Lords & 
see on what terms they will acquit their title to said township." 

THE KILLING OF SABATIS AND PLANSAWA. 




I. 



X 



During the summer, Sahatis and Plansawa, who had stolen 
the negroes from Canterbury, made their appearance in Con- 

toocook with furs for sale. After 
being in the vicinity for some time, 
they suddenly disappeared; and ru- 
mor soon reported that Peter Bowen 
and John Morril had killed them. 
Their bodies were found buried near 
Stirrup Iron brook. The Northern 
Railroad passes over the spot. At 
the time of the construction of the 
road, in 1846, a small image was 
thrown up by the workmen, which is 
now in the museum of the Essex In- 
stitute, Salem, Mass. It undoubtedly 
was a " Medicine" or charm possess- 
ed by one of the Indians, and which 
was usually carried in a bag gaily 
Vj . / decorated with beads and colored 

__.._^_ ...^ porcupine quills. It is hardly prob- 

" INDIAN MEDICINE." ^})\q that the image is the ideal of an 
Indian artist, but more likely that of a French Canadian priest. 
The Jesuits, in their Christianizing of the Indians, made use of 
various instrumentahties pandering to the superstitions of the 



1754.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 57 



aborigines ; and tliis image, in all probability, was a Jesuit " Med- 
icine." 

ACTION" OF THE GOVERNOR. 

The Indians were killed during a period of peace between 
France and England. Eumors of the murder became wide-spread, 
and Gov. Shirley of Massachusetts was apprehensive that the Ind- 
ians would take revenge upon the frontier. The act of Bo wen 
became an inter-colonial question, resulting in correspondence be- 
tween Gov. Shirley and Gov. Wentworth, involving legislative 
action, the arrest of Bowen and Morril, and a general excitement 
throughout the community. Gov. Shirley began it, — the people 
of Massachusetts, or, rather, His Excellency, being more exer- 
cised in regard to it than any one in New Hampshire. He sent 
a letter to Gov. Wentworth : 

"Boston Feb -i"^ 1754 

''Sir 

"Your excellency may remember my letter to you dated 17"^ of 
September last wherein I acquainted you with an account we had of a 
barbarous MurOier said to be committed within the Province of New Hamp- 
shire upon two Indians of a tribe in amity with the Encjii.sh. I was afraid 
it had then come to the knowledge of the Indians, & that complaint 
would Lave been made at the conference, but no notice was taken of it 
then. I have this day received a letter from Capt Lithgow of Fort 
Eichmond [in Maine] advising me that it is nov.- come to their knowl- 
edge & that they are determined to revenge the murtlier. 

" I shall send your excellency copy of his letter so far as relates to 

this affair. It will probably be attended [with disastrous] consequences 

to the Frontier of one or both of the Provinces if this murther be not 

detected & punished. I will send to Col. Minot v.-ho gave me the 

first Information & desire him to obtain all further information possible 

& transmit it by the next Post, until when your excellency has some 

knowledge of the Persons concerned so as to be able to secure them. 

I doubt not you will think it prudent to keep the affair as private as 

may be. I am with great respect, Sir your Excy^ most Humb' and 

most Obedient serv' 

" W. Shirley." 

On the 9th of February, Gov. Shirley sent a second letter urging 
that "justice be done to the Indians in this unhappy affair." 
The action of Gov. Shirley was based on the affidavits of three 



58 CIVIL HISTORY. [1754. 

citizens of Massachusetts who had been visiting Contoocook and 
vicinity, and who had talked with Bowen in regard to the mat- 
ter. 

AFFIDAVITS OF THOMAS BARRET AXD EPHRAIM JONES. 

" Thomas Barret & Ephraim Jones, both of lawful age testify & de- 
clare that in the month of August 1753 being in the town of Rumford 
in the Province of New Hampshire at the house of Henry Lovejoy. 

" That two Indians one named Sabbatis & the other Plansawa came 
to said Contoocook about the beginning of June & having the value of 
about two hundred Pounds Old Ten'' in Beavers & other effects: that 
said Sabbatis being known to be one of the two Indians who took two 
Negroes at that settlement the year before & carried one of them to 
Canada, the other making his escape, the said Bowen procured a gallon 
of Rum from Rumford & he with one or two others, whose names I do 
not remember gave said Indians rum very freely & took an opportunity 
to draw the charges out of the Indian's [guns] without their knowledge 
& then went with them into the woods & getting some distance apard 
said Bowen had an engagement with said Sabbatis who it is said flashed 
his gun at him & the sd Bowen struck his hatchet in sd Indian Head 
then chopped him several times in the Back & afterwards with a knife 
stabbed him to death. The other Indian coming up to him begged 
him that he would not kill him but sd Bowen without speaking to him 
struck him on the head & killed him on the spot & leaving him by the 
Path side till next morning it is said that Bowen with his son as it is 
supposed went & dug a hole by the Path side & threw them into it & 
covered them with earth but so shallow that the dogs or other creatures 
uncovered them & the bones have often been seen since. 

Thomas Barret 
Ephraim Jones. 

"Middlesex ss. 

" Concord Feb 9, 1754. 

" Then the above Thomas Barret & Ephraim Jones came before me 
the subscriber & made oath to the truth of the foregoing declarations. 

'■' James Minot Justice of the Peace. 

" Eleazer Melvin of lawful age testitieth & declares that he heard the 
substance of the foregoing Declaration or to the same purport in Aug 
last from iNIr. Lovejoy & some others & further declares that about the 
same time in conversation with sd Bowen he asked him concerning the 



1754.] CIVIL HISTORY. 59 

sd Indians whether they were certainly dead & he answered he would 
warrant it & that they never would do any more mischief to the English 
or to that effect & if he killed them he did it in his own defence as he 
could prove. 

" Eleazer Melvin." 

LIBERATION OF THE PRISONERS. 

Upon tlie receipt of these affidavits, Gov. Wentwortli caused 
the arrest of Boweix and Morril, who were taken to Portsmouth, 
and confined in the jail. Tlie time for their trial -was fixed for 
Thursday, the 21st of March. 

The offence of Bowen and Morril was not so great in the eyes 
of the citizens of Contoocook and Canterbury, as in the eyes of 
Gov. Shirley. Quite a party of them visited Portsmouth, to be 
present at the trial, or, rather, before the trial. During the night 
before the assembling of the court, about one hundred men, armed 
with axes and crow-bars, broke open the jail, knocked the irons 
from tlie limbs of the prisoners, and set them at liberty. What 
citizens of Contoocook took part in the affair is not known, ex- 
cept that the leader was Simeon Ames, of Canterbury. 

GOV. WENTWORTIl's MESSAGE. 

The governor brought the affair to the notice of the council the 
next morning. 

[From the Council Records.] 

" His excellency acquainted the Council that the high sheriff of the 
Province had informed him that at two of the clock in the morning of 
this present day a number of persons to the amount of one hundred or 
more made an attempt upon the Province Gaol with axes, iron crows & 
broke open the doors of the prison & rescued the prisoners indicted for 
the murther of two Indians said to be killed at or near Contoocook Vis — 
John alias Anthony Bowen & John Morrel & aided & assisted them the 
said Bowen & Morrel in their escape — His Excellency then desired the 
Council what steps they thot necessary or proper to be taken in the affair 
in order to the apprehending the said Bofren or Morrel or either of them 
& bringing the persons who broke open the Gaol as aforesaid or was aid- 
ing or assisting in the said breach or rescous the Council apprehended 
that such a number of persons as were supposed to be the authors of 
the rescous must be many of them known & as it is suggested that some 



60 CIVIL HISTORY. [1754. 

of them are known & may be brought to justice without offering any 
reward — but with respect to the two Prisouers Bowen & Morrel that 
his excellency be advised & desired to issue a Proclamation offering a 
reward of two hundred pounds Old Ten"' to any person or persons that 
shall apprehend the sd Bowen & the like sum of £200 in Old Ten^ to any 
person or persons that shall apprehend the sd Morrel & bring them or 
either of them to his Majesty's Gaol in Portsm° & all necessary charges 
in bringing the said prisoners or either of them to the said Gaol." 

Gov. Wentworth also sent a message to the assembly, asking 
that body to aid in npholding the dignity of the state. 

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY. 

The citizens of Contoocook and Canterbury bestirred themselves 
to present their side of tlie story. Col. Joseph Blanchard, justice 
of the peace in Bedford, visited Canterburj-, and took deposi- 
tions. 

" Elisabeth Miles Wife oi Josiali Miles of Canterbury in the Province 
of New Hampshire Testifies & says — That some time in the month of 
May 1752 two St Francis Indians (as they called themselves) named 
Sabbattis & Christo came to Canterbury Sabbattis made his General 
Lodging at the said Josiah's House for Eight or Ten Days & was 
Treated with all Possible Friendship & Courtesy, Notwithstanding 
the said Sabbattis often Discovered a Restless & Malicious Disposition 
& Several Times (Her husband being absent) with Insulting threats 
put her in very great Fear. Constantly kept a long knife Naked in his 
hand and on seeing any man come towards the House (of which he kept 
a constant watch) arni'd himself — That the evening after he went away 
a Negro man of the said Josiah's was taken (named Peer) and another 
belonging to James Lindsey of Canterbui-y aforesaid Named Tom and 
carried away said Peer of the value of five hundred pounds Old Tenor 
at the least. 

" That the said Peer about three days after return'd pinion'd & 
Bound with Indian Lines and said that Sabbattis and Christo had taken 
them and that by accident he made his Escape. 

" That sometime in tlie month of May 1753 she was going to the field 
and an Indian (named Plansaway) spoke to her behind a Fence & asked 
for her husband who was there at work close by, her husband enquired 
what company he had and he said Sabbattis, he enquired what he came 
for or how he dare come (meaning Sabbattis) he evaded an answer, 
her husband Desired him to go into the house (being vehemently sus- 
picious they were designed for Further Mischief) where he kept him 




>^^^ 



1754.] CIVIL HISTORY. 61 

that night and urged the appearance of Sabbattis, Plausaway said he 
-was afraid that he or Liudsey would kill hiui for stealing their negroes 
the year Before. 

" That after assurance that if he made his appearance he should not 
be hurt. 'Next day searching in the woods found him and after a par- 
ley he came in — 

'' The wife of James Liudsey a near neighbor, hearing the Indians 
was there came to the house (the Englishmen were all gone out to work) 
and finding Sabbattis there said Lindsey's wife urged his ingratitude 
that after he had received so much kindness at their house to commit 
such a Villanous Act as to Rob her of her slave- with some Few more 
words to the same Purpose Both the Indians immediately armed them- 
selves with their guns Sabbattis with a long knife and Plausaway with 
a Hatchet and with a furious Gesture Insulted her holding the Hatchet 
over her head making attempts as if he would strike and told her if she 
said one word more about it he would split her brains out if he died for 
it the next minute — Sabbattis went out to her husband in the field and 
told liim that if he ever see the said Lindseys wife any more he would 
kill her be the event what it would (as her husband then told her) that 
the said Sabbattis insisted that the said negro was Lawful Plunder the 
Deponent sold the said Indians two shirts & happened to see them when 
they shirted and there was next [their] skin Tyed a Number of small 
Meturap Lines not such as are usually made for Tying Packs — a collar 
of a Length about suthcient to go around a Mans Neck and as she then 
apprehended was what is called Captive Lines — 

" That the Deponent and her husband frequently seeing them un- 
common Lines Asked what Business Sabbattis and he could have there 
as they had not brought their packs for trade — at length Plausaway 
said he had a kinsman (named Sabbattis) who had at Cape Sable ivilled 
an Indian and that they agreed for his Redemption (being held by 
them) to pay five hundred pounds to get an English Slave. 

"That Sabbattis being his Namesake offered to assist him in the Re- 
demption and said the Hunting was best this way. 

" That the Indian must be released by the money or other ways (by 
Summer) or he must be put to Death. 

" Canterbury May 21*' 1754 

" Before Joseph Blanciiard 

" Jus of Peace/' 

Other documents relating to this affair may be found in IST. H. 
Prov. Papers, Vol. VI. 



62 CIVIL HISTORY. [1754. 

PUBLIC SENTIMENT. 

Public sentiment in Contoocook .ind Canterbury sided witli 
Bowen and Morrel, though the part taken by the Latter in the 
murder does not appear. The people rejoiced that the Indians, 
who had murdered and scalped many captives, were bej'ond the 
possibility of doing further mischief. Gov. Shirley, of Massachu- 
setts, however, took a different view, and wrote a letter to Gov. 
Wentworth urging him to appease the Indians by giving presents 
" to the Eelatives of the deceased Indians for wiping off the 
3lood as they term it." He also urged the re-arrest of Bowen 
and Morrel. 

Gov. Wentworth determined to uphold the dignity of the law, 
and the sheriff and his assistants arrested Simeon Ames, of Can- 
terbury, as the ringleader of the liberators. 

" I will go with you," was the prompt reply of Ames when ar- 
rested ; " but we will have dinner first." 

The sheriff was pleased to accept the generous hospitality of 
his prisoner. 

" You will allow me to ride my own horse to Exeter," said 
Ames. 

The sheriff had no objection, as himself and assistant Avere 
mounted. The party started, and rode till nearly sunset, reaching 
Brentwood. The officers — one on each side — had enjoyed the 
society of their prisoner. They were ascending a hill ; the offi- 
cers' horses were jaded, while Ames's was comparatively fresh, 
and very fleet. 

" I declare, it is most sunset. Good evening, gentlemen. I 
don't think I will go with j^ou any further to-night." 

In an instant he was gone. At a touch of the rein the horse 
wheeled, and the rider, bowing politely, disappeared. The offi- 
cers sat upon their horses in blank astonishment, knowing that 
it would be useless to attempt to overtake a man who was going 
like the wind away from them ; — besides, public sentiment was 
on the side of Ames. 

Gov. Wentworth wisely adopted the advice of Gov. Shirley — to 
make a present to the Indians. This was done, and no further 
attempts were made to punish the offenders. The Iirdians were 
appeased, and the matter dropped. 



1751.] CIVIL HISTORY, 63 



SCOUTIXG PAKTY. 

Early in the spring Governor Wentwortli sent out a party un- 
der Col. Lovewell, Maj. Talford, and Capt. Page, to explore tlie 
" Upper Cohos." John Stark was employed as guide, he having 
been taken up the Connecticut when captured by the Indians. 

The party left Rumford March 10, reached Piermont in se\'en 
days, spent one night on the banks of the Connecticut, and then, 
though no Indians were seen, made a precipitate return. 

TROPRIETORS' MEETING. 

May 19. Meeting at Contoocook. £175 was voted to the 
support of Mr. Stevens, at the rate of 29'' per pound. Six of 
the Newbury proprietors attended the meeting, — Samuel Pow- 
ler, Edmund Morss, Thomas Person, Samuel Gerrish, John 
Thorla, and Joseph Coffin. £12 was voted to each man as com- 
pensation for time and expense. 

The money voted at the meeting in 1752 for the construction 
of a fort not having been exjiended, it was voted to divide the 
money. 

CAPTURE OF THE MELOON FAMILY. 

Before the month was through, the Indians began their depre- 
dations. 

It was knowni that parties of Canadian savages were in the 
vicinity ; — their foot-prints had been discovered ; they had been 
seen. Some of the settlers farthest from the fort had hastened to 
place themselves under the protection of the garrison. At this 
time Mr. William Emery had erected a log house at the foot of 
Corser hill, a few rods west of Little brook, on land owned by Miss 
Nancy E. Couch. 

Mr. Emery knew that Indians were in the region, and, his wife 
being sick, hastily abandoned his house on the 10th of May, leav- 
ing all his goods, and fleeing to the fort. 

Mr. Nathaniel Meloon, one of the flrst settlers of the town, had 
pushed five miles beyond Emery's — a mile beyond the nortlierly 
line of the town — and built a home in West Stevenstown, not far 
from the present West Salisbury meeting-house. Mr. Meloon's 
family consisted of himself, wife, and five children, — Nathaniel, 



64 CIVIL HISTORY. [1754. 

thirteen years old, Mary eleven, Eacliael ten, John six, DavitT 
three, and Sarah thirteen months. 

Mr. Meloon started hefore sunrise, on the morning of the 11th, 
for Penacook, but was captured by the Indians probably not far 
from Emery's house, which they broke oj)en and rifled. Mr. Me- 
loon was on horseback, and the horse being of no use to them, they 
left it tied at Emery's. Taking their captive with them, they 
returned to his house about nine o'clock. Nathaniel was at work 
in the field. It would seem that the boy discovered the Indians 
about the same time that they saw him. He took to the woods, 
and, although pursued by two, managed to secrete himself. At 
the direction of the Indians his father called him, but the tones 
of his voice were of Avarning, and he did not come out from his 
hiding-place till the Indians had left. He ran to the river, swam 
it several times to elude pursuit, and hastened towards the fort, 
but met Stephen Gerrish, John Flanders, William Emery, and 
others, who were out on a scout, and returned with them to find 
Emery's house plundered, and his father's horse at the door. 
They proceeded to West StevenstoAvn, and found his father's house 
also rifled. 

The attack was on Saturday, the 11th of May. On the next 
Wednesday, the 15th, Stephen Gerrish v/as in Portsmouth, lay- 
ing the case before the Governor and Council, soliciting aid for 
the defence of the town. 

[From the Coiincil Records.] 
" At a council holden in Portsmouth on Wednesday May 15'"'^ 175-1. 
" Present 

Ilis excellency the Governor 

Henry Sherburne "] 

Theodore Atkinson I 

Richi W. bird [^ ^'^^''• 

Jno Downing j 

Sampson Sheaffe "^ 
Daniel Warner V Esqr. 
Joseph Newmarch ) 

" Mr. Stephen Gerrish appearing at this Board presented a petition 
of Phineas Stevens & eight others inhabitant at Contoocook setting 
forth that the Indians had begun hostilities in that part & had capti- 
vated a family & rifled the bouse of another &c & being examined what 



1754.] CIVIL HISTORY. 65 

he knew of the affair says on Sat. the 11"' Inst he saw a lad son of 
Nathaniel Malloon who lived at a place called Stevenstowu about five 
miles from Contoocook wlio informed him that his father & family were 
taken as he supposed by the Indians he having seen a number of Ind- 
ians near his fathers house which occasioned him the sd lad to run into 
the woods by which he escaped upon which report the said Gerrish & 
sundry others went immediately to the house where they had found the 
feather beds emptied upon the floor & the tickins carry'd off — Most of 
the meal that was in the house was carry'd. 

" They tracked the Indians some way from the house — that the fam- 
ily consisting of the man his wife & three children were all gone off 
and by the said signs he imagined were all carried into captivity. The 
petitioners therefore prayed some speedy succours to guard & defend 
them to prevent if possible future depredations — upon which petition 
& information his excellency asked the council what they would advise 
in the Premises. The council considering thereof did advise His Ex- 
cellency to give the necessary orders for enlisting or impressing twenty 
effective men to be immediately sent to Contoocook, Canterbury & 
Stevenstown to be destined as his excellency shall think most advanta- 
geous for guarding the inhabitants in these parts one month." 

The Indians were mercenary, rather than revengeful and blood- 
thirsty. Tempting as the scalps of the captives might be, the 
lives of the French in Canada, the rum and the blankets and 
trinkets which the English slaves would sell for, awakened their 
greed, and the caj^tive family were not inhumanly treated. 

Her infant was sick, and the savages, under pretence of giving 
it medicine, took it from the mother's arms, and the parents never 
again beheld it. 

THE PRISONERS IN CANADA. 

Arriving in Canada, the prisoners were sold to the French, and 
the family separated. A child — Joseph — was born, November 20, 
1755. In 1757, Mr. Meloon, his wife, and three sons were ship- 
ped on a French vessel for France ; but the ship was taken by a 
British man-of-war, off Newfoundland, and they were landed in 
Portland, from whence they made their way to Contoocook, 
and finally to their log cabin in Salisbury, where life was once 
more begun. 

Rachel was left behind in Canada. Being but ten years old at 
the time of her captivity, and living with the Indians, she took 
readily to their mode of life. In 1763, Samuel Fowler, Esq., un- 
5 



QQ CIVIL HISTORY. [1754. 

clertook to bring her home. He found her, at the age of fourteen, 
in her habits and predilections, an Indian. She had little inclina- 
tion to return to civilized life, and Mr. Fowler found it necessary 
to use great precaution on his return, for fear she might give him 
the slip, and make her way hack to Canada. She returned to Salis- 
bury, subsequently married, but never wholly forgot the habits of 
her captivity. 

The affidavits of William Emery, Jolin Flanders, and Nathaniel 
Meloon, Jr., are preserved in the Provincial Records of New 
Hampshire, Vol. VI, and are of interest as picturing the event. 

TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM EMERY. 

" William Emery of Contoocook in the Province of New Hampshire 
of Lawful age— Testifies & says— That on the Tenth Day of May 1754 
his wife being ill & People afraid to tarry & take care of her there being 
an Outhouse moved her into Town with the rest of the family about 
five miles — the next morning he Returned to his House & found it Plun- 
dered what of his goods was not carried off was spoilt of the vaUie & 
to his damage Two Hundred Pounds Old Tenor at the Least & the same 
time found Nath^ Maloon's Horse tyed at his said House which Maloon 
his wife Rachel & Sarah & son Samuel were captivated & carried away 
by the Indians & of clothing Bedding & Provisions of the value of two 
hundred & thirty Pounds Old Tenor at the least. 
" Province of New 7 
Hampshire ) 

" Contoocook 
"May 22<i 1751 the above Named William Emery made oath to the 
truth of the aforesaid written Deposition before 

" Joseph Blanchard 

" Just of Peace " 

TESTIMONY OF JOHN FLANDERS. 

''John Flanders of Contoocook in the Province of New Hampshire of 
Lawful age Testifys & says— 

' That in May 1753 an Indian named Planseway came to Contoocook 
aforesaid exulting & telling of his Frequent coming to that place in 
the war how many he killed & taken [from] Merryraack in the 
.^j^^._1'he Deponent told him that in the Fall he intended to Catch 
some Beaver to make him a hat & asked Planseway if he would hurt 
him if he see him, who answered yes if he found him a hunting he 
would kill him & earnestly repeated it several times— 



1754.J CIVIL HISTORY, 67 

" And the Deponent further says That on the 11"> day of May 1754 
in the Forenoon at Contoocook aforesaid William Emery came to the 
Body of the Town & Informed that somebody had that morning broke 
open his house taken many things & spoiled others, a house his family 
liad moved from the night Before all his clothing (his beds empty'd & 
ticks cut to pieces) & supposed it to be Indians the Deponent & others 
Immediately went, found the house strip''^ & Plunder'd to the said Em- 
ery's Damage at least Two hundred Pounds old Tenor, 

'' That they proceeded to the house of Nathaniel Meloon in Stevens- 
town so called which was about six miles Farther & met with said Meloon's 
Eldest son who gave account of the Indians that day captivating his 
Father & Mother & three children who returned with the scout to his 
Father's house where they found it plundered & strip'd & by the 
best accts the Deponent could get of the things missing broke & Cutt 
to pieces were of the value & to Meloous damage at least two hun- 
dred & thirty pounds old Tenor. 

" Province of 7 Contoocook May 22* 

New Hampshire) 175i 

"The above named John Flanders made Oath to the truth of the 
aforewritten Deposition. 

" Before Joseph Blaxchard 

"just Peace 
" A copy exam'd by William Parker. Not Pub." 

TESTIMONY OF NATHANIEL MELOON, 

'^Nathaniel Maloon the son of Nathaniel Maloon of Stevenstown in 
New Hampshire aged about 14 years Testifies & says — 

" That at Stevenstown aforesaid on the 11"^ day of May 175i in the 
morning before sunrise his Father set out Designing to go to Penacook 
a place of about twenty miles distant whose road went by the house of 
Mr. William Emery of Contoocook. That the same morning about 
nine of the clock the Deponent was at work in his Fathers field & soon a 
number of Indians he thought ten or a dozen running to the house & 
too took after the Deponent, but a thicket near was Quick out of sight 
& made his escape & hid not far off. Some time afterwards he heard 
his Father call him sundry times — 

" That after he supposed the Indians Drawn off made his escape to 
Contoocook. 

" Province of > At Contoocook 
New Hampshire \ the 22'^ of May 1754. 
" The above named &c 

" Before Joseph Blaxchard 

"Jus Peace." 



68 CIVIL HISTORY. [1754. 

EXPEDITION TO THE UPPER CONNECTICUT. 

A report that tlie Indians were building a fort on tlie upper 
Connecticut induced the Govei-nor and Council to send out another 
and stronger party to reconnoitre the country. It was commanded 
by Capt. Peter Powers, of Hollis. The company assembled at 
Eumford, and on Saturday, June 15th, marched to Contoocook. 

The beginning of the march is given from Powers's journal : 

"Sat June 15'>' 1754. This day left Kumford & marched to Contoo- 
cook which is about 8 miles & here tarried all night. 

"■ Sunday June 16 Tiiis day tarried at Contoocook & went to meet- 
ing & tarried here all this night. 

'■'Hon June 17 This morning fair & we fixed our packs & went & 
put them on board our canoes about nine of the clock & some of the 
men went in the canoes & the rest on the shore. And so we marched 
up the river Merrimack to the crotch or parting thereof & then up the 
Pemigewasset about one mile & a half & camped above the carrying 
place, which carrying place is about one hundred rods long, & the whole 
of this days work is about thirteen miles." 

The route was up Baker's river. The party reached the Con- 
necticut at Piermont, where four of their number, being disabled, 
descended the Connecticut to Charlestown in a canoe, while the 
others pushed on up the Ammonoosuc nearly to Littleton, and 
then crossed a ridge of high land to the Connecticut in Dalton, 
and from thence went as far north as Israel's river. The main 
body encamped there, while Powers and two men pushed up the 
valley to the present town of Northumberland, whence they came 
upon a fresh Indian trail. Not deeming it prudent to proceed any 
farther, the company returned to their packs, which had been left 
on the Ammonoosuc, and from thence to the present village of 
Haverhill, which they reached July 6. The leaves of the diary 
giving an account of the return are wanting, but in all proba- 
bility Capt. Powers arrived at Contoocook about a week later. 
This was the first exploration of the upper valley of the Connec- 
ticut. 

ATTACK ON STEVENSTOWN. 

In August, the Indians, under Capt. John Sasup, swooped down 
upon East Stevenstown. Philip Call, one of the early settlers of 
Contoocook, had concluded to locate himself on the rich intervale 



1754.] CIVIL HISTORY. 69 

of Stevenstown. He built his cabin near the JMerrimack, about 
a mile and a half bej'ond the north line of Contoocook, near what 
is now South Franklin. It was on the 15th of the month that the 
Indians made their attack. Mrs. Call and her son's wife and in- 
fant were in the house, while the father, son, and Timothy Cook, — 
whose father had been killed, in 1746, at Clay hill, — were at work 
in the field. Upon the approach of the Indians, Mrs. Call, senior, 
met them at the door, and was instantly killed by a blow from a 
tomahawk. She fell across the threshold. Mrs. Philip Call, 
junior, with her infant, crawled into a hole behind the chimney. 
She succeeded in keeping her child quiet, and was not discovered. 
The father and son had seen the Indians, and attempted to get to 
the hoiise in advance of them, but, discovering that there was a 
large party, took to the woods. Cook fled towards the Merrimack, 
plunged in, but was shot and scalped. Philip made all haste to 
Contoocook, swimming the river several times to baffle his pursu- 
ers. The Indians, about thirty in number, rifled the house, and, 
suspecting that a party would be sent up from the fort, secreted 
themselves in the woods. 

The force sent out from the fort consisted of thirteen men. 
The Indians allowed them to pass, rose from their ambush, gave 
a whoop, made a rush, but succeeded only in capturing Enos 
Bishop, whose home was on Queen street, west of the house now 
owned by Prof. John Jackman. 

The remaining twelve, disconcerted by the suddenness of the 
attack, fled in every direction, and finally all reached the fort, 
not having fired a gun. 

bishop's captivity. 

Bisho];) was taken to Canada, reaching St. Prancis village in 
thirteen days, with Samuel Scribner and John Parker taken from 
Stevenstown. They were sold to Frenchmen. 

In October, Bishop found means to send a letter to Eev. Jede- 
diah Jewett, of Rowley, Mass. 

"Montreal, Oct. 19, 1754, 

" Rev. Sir — The reason of my directing these lines to you is because 
it seems most likely that they will sooner arrive to the hands of a per- 
son of your note than to any body else. Before I proceed I shall give 
you a short description of my captivity. That day Sir, in August last 



70 CIVIL HISTORY. [1754. 

[the 15*] that you left my house at Contoocook I was taken by the Ind- 
ians & by them carried to St. Francois, where we arrived in thirteen 
days; & after I had been with them eight weeks they sold me to a 
French gentlemen for 300 livres, which sum must be paid before I can 
be free which looks someAvhat difficult to me. But I hope I have some 
friend in Rowley that will contribute that sum for my relief; & I shall 
take it a favor with you if you will move a contribution in your parish. 
There will be no difficulty in my redemption if the money be paid & 
there is no difficulty in coming at any time of the year. In the winter 
the people pass on the ice all the way to Albany except a few miles. 
Inform the people at Contoocook that Maloon & his wife are sold to a 
French minister near Quebeck, & his boy in this town & his oldest girl is 
with the Indians ; their youngest child died I believe at St. Francois 
about a month ago. Samuel Scribner who was taken at Bakerstown 
where I was I hear is sold to the french at Chambly, about 12 miles from 
this place ; & Robert Barker taken at the same place sold to a French- 
man about a mile from St. Francois. They all desire release. 

"I can write no more at present only to ask an interest in your pray- 
ers & beg leave to subscribe myself 

" Your most obedient & humble servant 

" Enos Bishop. 

'' N. B. Caution the frontier to be on their guard. If any person 
comes or sends for me let them repair to Col. John Lydius, of Albany 
for direction." 

The families on the outskirts of the town, and all that had set- 
tled in Stevenstown, upon the attack of the Indians abandoned 
their homes and fled to the fort. The citizens organized for de- 
fence. 

THE ALARM. 

Two of the party sent up from the fort at the time of the attack 
upon Philip Call were Ephraim Foster and Andrew Moor. Possi- 
bly they were not citizens of Contoocook, as no other mention of 
their names is found in any of the records or documents. It is 
probable that they were sent to alarm the lower towns, for we find 
Andrew McClary, of Epsom, hastening to Portsmouth and giving 
the Governor and Council information concerning the attack. 
McClary's account is on record in tlie " Council Minutes." The 
attack was on the 15th. On the 18th, McClary was in the council 
chamber, at the capitol, giving the following statement : 





Nl 




M^^A ^j^c^^^o^ 



1754.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. Tl 



" Portsmouth Aug 18, 1754, 
"The said Andrew McCLiry being examined declared that Eph"'" 
Foster & Stephen Moor acquainted the dechirant that they were at 
Stevenstown the day after the mischief was done by the Indians & 
found the body of Mrs. Call lying dead near the door of her house, 
scalped & her head almost cutoff & upon further search found the body 
of a man named Cook dead & scalped. That the Indians were supposed 
to be about thirty in number according to the account of eight men. 
[Mr. Price, writing from tradition, says thirteen— possibly a misprint.] 
that upon hearing the news went immediately from Contoocook to Ste- 
venstown & in that way passed the enemy who soon followed them & see- 
ing the Indians too many in number to engage they parted & endeavored 
to escape. One of the company, one Bishop, stood sometime & fired at 
the Indians, but was soon obliged to run. Cook was found dead by the 
river's side. Bishop supposed to be killed & sunk in the river, he being 
still missing — that there were two men belonging to the plantation at a 
distance working in a meadow, that as yet were not come in [Scribner and 
Barker] And it is feared they had fallen into the hands of the enemy— 
that as the declarant had understood all the inhabitants consisting of 
about eight families were come down into the lower town & had left 
their improvements, corn, hay & cattle." 

CAPT. JOHN WEBSTER. 

When the attack was made on West Stevenstown, in May, and 
the Meloon family captured, Gov. Wentworth ordered Capt. John 
Webster, of Manchester, to march at once with twenty men to 
protect the inhabitants in the vicinity of Contoocook. The com- 
pany marched on June 24 ; hut no enemy being then in the vicin- 
ity, the men returned to their homes. 

The attack on East Stevenstown, and the disaster to the party 
that went up from Contoocook, created universal alarm. 

TROOPS CALLED OUT. 

The Council advised the calling out of a large force. On 
August 16, the following order was issued to Col. Joseph Blan- 
chard, of Dunstable : 
" To Col Joseph Blanchard, 

" Upon the mischief done by the Indians at Stevenstown, I have or- 
dered a detachment from Captain Odlins troop* of 24 men and officers 

* This company was from Exeter and vicinity. 



72 CIVIL HISTORY. [1755. 

to command, also a like number from Captain Stevens troop to guard 
the inhabitants in that frontier until I can relieve them by a sufficient 
number of foot & as your regiment lies contiguous to the frontier where 
the mischief was done I have thought proper to order & direct that you 
forthwith enlist and impress fifty men or more, if you think that num- 
ber is not sufficient & put them under an officer you can confide in & 
order them forthwith to march to Contoocook & Stevenstown to relieve 
the detachment of horse posted there. 

" B. Wentworth." 

CAPT. GOFFE's company. 

The company was commanded by Jolm Goffe, of Derryfield. 
Robert Rogers, afterwards the renowned ranger, enlisted as a pri- 
vate in this company. From Contoocook were the following citi- 
zens : 

Dea. Jesse Flanders, John Flanders, 

Stephen Hoit, William Courser, 

Jacob Hoit, Joseph Eastman, Jr. 

The company was in service during the winter, frequently mak- 
ing long marches on snow-shoes. The head-quarters were in the 
garrisons of Canterbury and Contoocook. 

DEATH OF REV. MR. STEVENS. 

Jan. 19, 1755. Tlie people of Contoocook met with a sad loss 
in the death of Rev. Mr. Stevens, who for fifteen years had been 
their minister, and who had taken an active part in all of the af- 
fairs of the plantation. 

Rev. Mr. Price says of him, — " We have not the means of as- 
certaining particularly the success of his labors, for want of church 
records ; but that he was ver}- dear to the people of his charge, 
and his services satisfactory, are evidenced by their united attach- 
ment to his interest amid the trying scenes and sufferings to 
which he and they were called." 

MR. Stevens's estate. 

The amount of worldly effects owned by Mr. Stevens will be 
seen from the appraisers' account : 

"We the Subscribers being appointed a Committee to apprize the 
Estate real & personal of the Rev"^ M'' Phiuehas Stevens, late of the Place 



1755.] 



CIVIL HISTORY, 73 



called Contoocook within his Majestys Province of New Hampshire, 
Clerk Deceased, being first sworn to the faithful Discharge of the said 
Trust have taken the following Inventory of the said Estate. 

" Vis— 
" Of personal Estate — 
" Imprimis. To Books — 

M"" Pool's Synopses Criticorura in five volumes in Folio 7.10. 0. 

Other books the whole of them 1- 5. 0. 

Item, To a Swivel Gun 2.10. 

item, To Beds, Bedding & Bedsteads ' 45.12. 6. 

item. To Pewter 1--10. 

item, To two warming pans 3. 2. 6. 

item, To two Looking Glasses 5.10. 0. 

item. To two Brass Kettles 4. 0. 0. 

item, To a toasting-iron & Gridiron 0. 6. 0. 

item. To a Spit 0. 0. 0. 

item. To a Spool wheel !• 5. 

item. To a Cupboard 0-15. 0. 

item. To two Caggs • 0.10. 0. 

item, To a great Wheel 0. 5. 

item, To Andirons 0. 8. 0. 

item, To Tongs 0. 6. 0. 

item. To another pair of Tongs & fire shovel & irons 2.10. 0. 

item. To an iron Kettle 0.12. 0. 

item. To two iron Trammels 1- 5. 0. 

item, To a little Pot 0.12. 0. 

item. To two Box irons & Heater 1.10. 0. 

item. To five Chairs at 0.3.9. apiece 0.18. 9. 

item. To a Frying Pan 0. 6. 0. 

item, To an iron Pot [ J 

item, To a pair of hand-Bellows 0. 5. 0. 

item. To a brass Skillet & Frame 0.10. 0. 

item, To another brass Skillet & Frame 0.12. 6. 

item. To a brass Skimmer 0. 5. 0. 

item, To three tables at 5» apiece 0.15. 0. 

item, To a Cradle 0. 2. 6. 

item, To hay at the Meddeo 2. 2. 6. 

item. To 2 Tobes 0.10. 0. 

item. To Iron 0. 2. 6. 

Chaffing Dish 0. 5. 0. 

item, To a Coat, 2. 0. 0. 

item. To a great Coat !• 0. 0. 



74 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



[1755. 



item, To two Gowns 

item, To Stockings 

item, To a pair of Leather Breeches 

item, To a Jacket 

item, To a Hat 

item, To a pair of Boots 

item. To Shoes 

item. To a Morter Pestel 

item, To a Kazor 

item, To Shirts 

item, To a half Bushel & Sive 

item. To one old Saddle & Bridle 

item, To Tea Furniture 

item, To two Chests 

item, To an old Portmantle 

item, To Salt 

item, To Glass Bottles 

item, To an ax 

item, To a Scithe to cut Bushes 

item. To Plow irons 



Stock. 



" To a Mare 
item. To two Cows 
item. To a Heifer 
item, To a Calf 
item. To five Sheep 
item. To three Swine 



" Real Estate & Buildings. 



3.10. 0. 

0.18. 6. 

0.15. 0. 

2. 0. 0. 

0.15. 0. 

0. 5. 0. 

0. 7. 6. 

0. 0. 6. 

2. 0. 0. 

0. 5. 0. 
2. 0. 0. 
0.10. 0. 

1. 0. 0. 
0. 5. 0. 
0.10. 0. 
0. 5. 0. 

0. 5. 0. 
0.12. 6. 

1. 5. 0. 



. 0. 0. 
,10. 0. 

0. 0. 
10. 0. 
10. 0. 

5. 0. 



"Imprimis, To the House-Lot, House & Barn 90. 0. 0. 

item, a House in the Garrison 

item. To a five acre Intervale Lot 

item, To a House Lot adjoining to Ensign Joseph Eastman's 25 

item, To one eighty acre Lot, half an eighty-acre Lot, & two 

House-Lots all joining together 
item. To one hundred acre Lot 
item, To one common Right 

item, To half a hundred-acre lot, & half a common Right 
item. To one eighty-acre-Lot in the Township of Rumford 

APPLICATION FOR IXCOKPORATION AS A TOWN. 

Jail. 28. At a meeting of tlie proprietors in Newbury, a tliird 



25. 0. 


0. 


3 25. 0. 


0. 


215. 0. 


0. 


25. 0. 


0. 


7. 0. 





IG. 5. 


0. 


62.10. 


0." 



175G.] CIVIL HISTORY. 75 

attempt was made to obtain corporate powers ; but in consequence 
of the intense cold, the meeting adjourned without action to Feb- 
ruary 11. 

Feb. 11. The proprietors met at tlie house of Daniel Clark. 
Joseph Greenleaf and Joseph Gerrish were chosen a committee to 
petition the Great and General Court for an enlargement of the 
powers of the proprietors in regard to tlie collection of taxes. 

June 12. At a meeting in Contoooook, Benj. Lunt, Henry 
Rolfe, and Joseph Coffin were appointed to settle with the admin- 
istrator of Rev. Mr. Stevens's estate. 

To defray the current expenses of the plantation, £400 was ap- 
propriated. 

George Jackman, Stephen Gerrish, and Jacob Flanders were 
chosen to look after the parsonage. 

Joseph Coffin, Benj. Lunt, and Henry Eolfe were appointed a 
committee to procure " twenty pounds of powder, lead, »&; flints, 
[or their] equivelent [and] to take care of the same." 

Ninety pounds was voted towards defra3dng the expenses in- 
curred at the funeral of Rev. Mr. SteA'ens. 

A committee was appointed to secure the services of another 
preacher, and Rev. Mr. Varney was employed. 

THE MIXISTEll's LOT. 

Feb. 7, 1756. The proprietors met at the meeting-house, but, 
on account of the cold, an adjournment was had to the nearest 
dwelling-house. Capt. Stephen Gerrish, Jacob Flanders, and Dea. 
George Jackman were chosen a committee to provide further 
preaching. 

Ezekiel Flanders and Samuel Fowler were apjjointed a commit- 
tee to see whether a lot of eighty acres should be set off to the 
right of the first settled minister. 

TWO CITIZENS KILLED BY INDIANS. 

Mr. Flanders, who was thus chosen, soon after went to New- 
found lake, in Hebron, accompanied by Edward Emer}^, to set 
their traps for beaver. "While there they were waylaid by Ind- 
ians. One was shot while skinning a beaver, and the other 
while carrying a beaver into camp, as was subsequently learned 
from the Indians. 



76 CIVIL HISTORY. [1756. 

THE CHARTEK. 

Another attempt was made to obtain a town charter. Joseph 
Coffin, John Moody, and Stephen Gerrish were appointed to press 
the claims of the plantation before the Governor and Conncil. 
The efforts of the committee were in this end successful, as will 
be seen further on. 

ESCAPE OF ENOS BISHOP FROM CANADA. 

In October, Enos Bishop, who had been captured by the Indians, 
in 1754, made his escape from Canada. From a letter published 
in the N. Y. Mercury, Oct. 25, 1756, written by an officer in the 
garrison at No. 4, Charlestown, we have an account of his escape : 

" No 4, Oct 4, 1756. 

" This day arrived here one Enoch Bishop, an English captive from 
Canada, who was taken two years since. He left Canada twenty-six 
daj'S ago in company with two other English captives viz : William 
Hair late of Brookfield enlisted in Gen. Shirley's regiment & taken at 
Oswego ; the other name unknown taken from Pennsylvania. They 
came away from Canada without a hatchet, gun or fire works, & with 
no more than three loaves of bread & four pounds of pork. As 
they suffered much for want of provisions, his companions were not 
able to travel any farther than a Httle this side of Cowass [Coos] where 
he was obliged to leave them last Lord's Day without any sustenance 
but a few berries. Six men were this morning sent out to look for 
them but it is feared they perished in the wilderness." 

SOLDIERS IN THE FRENCH WAR. 

We have not been aide to ascertain what citizens of Contoocook 
enlisted in the war against the French and Indians. It is not lihely 
that their names would be found on the proprietors' records. It is 
known that Philip Flanders was killed at Crown Point. He was 
a ranger in Maj. Rogers's company. He was the son of Jacob 
Flanders, one of the first settlers, and lived at the south end of 
Water street. He was brother of Dea. Jesse Flanders, who was 
in one or more of the campaigns against the French and Ind- 
ians. 

Andrew Bohonon, one of the first settlers of Contoocook, also 
served in one or more campaigns. He was brother-in4aw of 
Philip and Jesse Flanders, having married their sister Tabitha. 



1757.] CIVIL HISTORY. 77 

SAMUEL fowler's DISSENT. 

June 1, 1757. A proprietors' meeting was hekl, and a com- 
mittee, consisting of Joseph Coffin, John Moody, and Capt. Ste- 
phen Gerrish, was appointed " to j^rovide some suitable gentleman 
to preach." 

Mr. Samuel Fowler again entered his dissent, which is on 

record : 

[From the Records.] 

" To the proprietors of Coutoocook in their annual meeting assembled. 

" The humble petition of Samuel Fowler sheweth that your peti- 
tioner as a proprietor among you hath hitherto used his best endeavors 
according to his ability to promote the settlement and advantage of the 
plantation and his estate therein has born its part to all the publick 
taxes thereof for that end, but as j'our petitioner, which is not un- 
known to you is of a different persuasion from you with respect to the 
publick worship of God among you and as he is now about to take his 
estate into his own hands, cannot with freedom of conscience pay the 
ministerial taxes for the support of publick Worship in your way he 
humbly intreats your compassionate regards in that respect. And as 
our king thro the kindness of God has been pleased to exempt those of 
this persuasion from such taxes you would also be pleased to free your 
petitioner from the like tax in this place & your petitioner will still be 
willing to use his best endeavors for the good of the plantation & pay any 
other taxes or charges which in Law reason or justice may be thought 
equitable & in any other proper way pay or bear his fidl proportion of 
charge for promoting the interest of the plantation that so his land 
or interest in this place may not be sold for the ministerial taxes, which 
otherwise they will be liable to which as your petitioner upon the most 
serious reflection on the case sees no way to prevent, and therefore 
again begs your favour in this respect, which will greatly oblige your 
petitioner who on this occasion hopes he shall be ready on all proper 
opportunities to treat you with suitable tokens of acknowledgement. 

" Samuel Fowler." 

Up to this time Mr. Fowler had resided in ISTewbury, but dur- 
ing the year removed to Contoocook. He was an original propri- 
etor, and accepted with his associates the grant which stipulated 
that a minister should be supported. His associates might have 
pleaded, against his rights of conscience, that he voluntarily and 
without protest accepted the grant, and was therefore debarred 
from dissent ; but with great liberality they waived all limita- 
tions, and passed the following votes : 



78 CIVIL HISTORY, [1757. 

" Voted that the prayer of the petitioner be granted for the year 
1750." 

" Voted that the prayer of the petitioner be granted for 1751." 

"Voted that the prayer of the petitioner be granted for the year 
1752." 

" Voted that the prayer of the petitioner be answered for 1753 & 
also for 1755.'' 

The committee on preaching employed E,ev. Stephen Scales, 
who began to preach during the summer. 

CAPTURE OF MOSES JACKMAN BY INDIANS. 

During the month of June, four Indians made their appearance 
in Canterbury, near the house of Thomas Clough. The family 
were not at home. The Indians entered the house, secured some 
meal, and secreted themselves in the woods. 

In a field near by, a negro, Dorset, and Moses Jackman, son of 
Richard Jackman of Contoocook, eleven years old, were hoeing 
corn. The first intimation Jackman had of the presence of the Ind- 
ians was their uprising around him. Dorset seized Jackman, and 
started to run with him ; but they soon separated, Jackman running 
towards the barn, and the negro towards the woods. Jackman 
stumbled and fell, and was taken. He once escaped, but was 
recaptured, and intimidated by the wielding of a tomahawk 
over his head. Dorset was overtaken. He made a desperate re- 
sistance, and was badly beaten about the head. He cried lustily 
for help, and his cries Avere heard by others <it work haK a mile 
away, who understood the meaning of it, and fled to the garrison, 
at the house of Capt. Jeremiah Clough. 

Mrs. Thomas Clough had a narrow escape. She saw the Ind- 
ians, and made haste to the garrison. The alarm was given, but 
too late to prevent them from carrying off their captives. 

The route taken by the savages was up the Merrimack, prob- 
ably to Franklin, where they crossed over the falls, one Indian 
carrying Jackman on his shoulders. They travelled fast, and at 
night encamped on Smith's river, in what is now the town of 
Hill. Jackman was barefoot, and the Indians kindly supplied 
him with moccasons. The Indians made a rapid march to Canada. 

Arriving at Montreal, the two cajitives were imprisoned for a 
fortnight, while the Indians were trading off their furs. Jackman 
was sold to a Frenchman, and separated from Dorset, whom he 
never saw or heard from again. 



1759.] CIVIL HISTORY. 79 

Wliile in captivity, Jaclanan saw an Indian chief who had often 
been in Contoocook. The Indian recognized him at once. Jack- 
man remained in captivit}^ till 1761, when peace was declared, 
and he was brought home by Enos Bishop, who went in quest of 
him. Bishop was peculiarly fitted to bring him through the wil- 
derness, having made his escape in 1754. Jackman was kindly 
treated, and obtained a knowledge of the French language during 
the four years of his captivity. 

CLOSE OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

1758-59. The proprietors' books contain no important rec- 
ords for these years ; but great events were taking place else- 
where. On the 24th of July, 1759, Niagara was taken by the 
British and colonial forces ; on the 27th, Gen. Amherst took pos- 
session of Ticonderoga. On the 13th of September the battle on 
the Plains of Abraham was fought, and the lilies of France gave 
place to the cross of St. George, in America. It was one of the 
decisive battles of history, — one of the turning-places of human 
destiny. 

From that day forth there were to be no more midnight alarms 
of savage foes, no more tomahawking and scalping, no more cap- 
tivity for settlers on the frontier, no more murdering, Inmiing, or 
j)lundering, but peace, j)i'osperity, and the beginning of a new era 
in American history. 

Gen. WoKe, though dead, was a hero. His effigy was painted 
on tavern signs, his memory lauded everywhere. 

A few days before the battle on the Plains of Abraham, a 
British fleet under Admiral Boscawen defeated a French fleet off 
Cape Vincent, in Portugal. The engagement occurred August 20, 
and the news reached America in September, just as intelligence 
arrived of the victory at Quebec. Wolfe, Boscawen, and Amherst 
were the heroes of the hour. 

In all of the large towns the events were celebrated with festiv- 
ities. In Newbury an ox was killed, and the quarters roasted on 
a huge gridiron, near Rev. Mr. Sewell's meeting-house. The pro- 
prietors of Contoocook residing in Newbury shared in the enjoy- 
ments of the jubilee. Speeches were made, songs were sung, can- 
non fired, and men drank punch, egg-nog, and toddy to their 
hearts' content. 



[1760. 



OHAPTEE Y. 

THE TOWN. 

^^HE efforts of the committee appointed to secure a town cliar- 
^^ ter were successful. The charter was granted on the 22d 
of Aprih to continue two years. The reason for this limitation is 
wholly a matter of conjecture. 

THE CHAIITER. 

"Province of New Hampshire George the Second by the Grace of God, 

of Great Britain, France & Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith 

&c. 
" To all whom these presents may come. Greeting. 

"Whereas our loyal subjects inhabitants of a tract of land within 
our Province of New Hampshire l^nown by the name of Contoocook, 
have humbly petitioned & requested that they may be erected & incor- 
porated into a township & enfranchised with the powers & privileges 
which other towns within our said Province by law have & enjoy ; and 
it appearing to us to be conducive to the general good of our said prov- 
ince, as well as to the said inhabitants in particular, by maintaining 
order & encouraging the culture of lands, that the same should be 
done : 

'" Know ye therefore that of Our Special Grace's certain knowledge, 
& for the encouraging the good order & purpose aforesaid, by & with 
the advice of our trusty & well beloved Penning Wentworth Esq, our 
Governor & commander in chief & of our council for said Province of 
New Hampshire, have erected & ordained, & by these presents, for us, 
our heirs & successors, do will & ordain that the inhabitants of the 
tract of land aforesaid or that shall inhabit or improve thereon, the 
same being limited & bounded as follows : 

" Begining at the southerly side of Contoocook river's mouth, where 
the same falls into Merrimack river, running theuce a course west sev- 



mf^ 




^-^-^^ 



Jj^^.'f^^.^/i^'^^ 



1760.] CIVIL HISTORY. 81 

enteen degrees south, seven miles one hundred rods, measured from a 
forked white pine near the mouth of Contoocook river, to a pitch pine 
& heap of stones; — & from said pitch pine & heap of stones running 
north seventeen degrees west seven miles to a forked beach marked ; & 
thence on a course east seventeen degrees south north to the Merri- 
mack river to a heap of stones ; thence by the river as the same runs 
to the mouth of Contoocook river again where it began : Shall have, & 
by these presents are declared, ordained to be a town corporate, & are 
hereby erected & incorporated in to a body politic & corporate, to have 
a continuance two years only by the name of Boscawen, with all the 
powers, authorities, privileges, immunities & franchises which any other 
town in said Province by law holds & enjoys; always reserving to us, 
our heirs & successors, all white pine trees that are, or shall be found 
growing, & being on said land fit for the use of our Royal Navy, re- 
serving to us, our heirs & successors, the power & right of dividing said 
town when it shall appear necessary & convenient for the benefit of the 
inhabitants thereof; Provided nevertheless^ & it is hereby declared, that 
this our charter & Grant is not intended, nor shall in any manner be 
construed to extend to or affect the private property of the soil within 
the limits aforesaid; & as the several towns within our said province 
of New Hampshire are by the laws thereof enabled & authorized to 
assemble & by a majority of votes present to choose all such officers & 
transact such aflairs as by said laws are declared. 

" We do by these presents nominate & appoint Col Joseph Coffin Esq 
to call the first meeting of said inhabitants, to be held within said town 
within sixty days from the date hereof, by giving legal notice of the 
time & design of holding such meeting; — after which the annual meet- 
ing of said town for the choice of such officers & the n)anagement of 
the affairs aforesaid shall be held within the same on the first Tuesday 
of March annually. 

'' In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our said Province 
to be hereunto afiixed. Witness Benning Wentworth Esq our Gov- 
ernor & commander in chief of our said Province of New Hampshire, 
this twenty-second day of April in the thirty-third year of our reign & 
in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and sixty: 

" Benning Wentworth 

" By His Excellency's Command with the advice of the Council 

'' Theodore Atkinson Sec " 

ADMIRAI, BOSCAWEN-. 

There is but one otlier locality in tlie world bearing tbe name 
of Boscawen, and that an island iu the Pacific ocean, belonging 
to the Navigators' group. Both, were named for the brave old 
6 



82 CIVIL HISTORY. [1760. 

admiral wlio Immblecl the nav}^ of France. It is probably a name 
of French origin. The de Boscawens were an established family 
as far back as the days of old King John, who granted the Magna 
Charta, in 1215, at Eunnymede. The Boscawen manor-house was 
in Cornish. From the records of old England we learn that 
Henry de Boscawen had sons, Eobert and Allan, and a daughter 
Mirabell. There were also Ewej^ne and Osbert. One married 
John de Abalanda, and another Eusada Reskyners. One de 
Boscawen married Alice de Trevale. These are Norman names, 
going to show that the de Boscawens came into England with 
William the Conqueror. 

Hugh de Boscawen was, in 1711, first Lord Viscount Falmouth. 
His wife was Charlotte Churchill, niece of the Duke of Marl- 
borough. 

In that same year, a baby came to gladden the master and 
mistress of the manor-house, which was named Edward de Bos- 
cawen. 

When a boy, he was always brimming over with fun, and was a 
mimic withal. There was an old butler in his father's service 
who had a crick in the neck, and the boy, in mimicrj-, carried 
his neck in like manner, till the jest became a habit, and 
he had a crick in the neck through life. [Lives of English 
Admirals.] His father made him a midshipman at an early age, 
and he was promoted so rapidly that, in 1737, at the age of 
twenty-six, he was placed in command of the Leopard, a frigate of 
fifty guns, in the expedition of Admiral Vernon against Cartha- 
gena. In 1742 he commanded the Dreadnaught, and captured 
the French frigate Media. In 1746 he commanded the Namure, 
and captured the French frigate Intrepid, bearing despatches 
from Quebec to France. In an engagement the next year he 
was wounded by a musket-ball in the shoulder. 

The next year he was selected to command the East India 
fleet, with six ships of the line, besides frigates. In 1755 he com- 
manded the fleet on the North American coast, cruised off New- 
foundland to intercept French ships, and made several captures. 
In 1759 he was selected to cooperate with Wolfe and Amherst for 
the reduction of Canada. He sailed with a large fleet to the 
coast of France, and cruised off Toulon with fourteen ships of the 
line, watching for an opportunity to cripple the last fleet at the 



1760.] CIVIL HISTORY. 83 

disposal of the Frencli king. He fouglit a great battle off Cape 
Vincent, came off victor, all but anniliilated the French navy, 
and returned to England to receive the applause of his country- 
men. Soon after landing he was suddenly taken sick, and died 
after a short illness. 

A few weeks before his death, the Hoyal Magazine contained 
a poetical panegyric upon the heroic old admiral. We give a 
stanza : 

" This hero to the brave will favor show, 
But to the coward is a deadly foe; 
Strenuous for combat, dauntless as a tar, 
He may be called the thunderbolt of war." 

The citizens of Boscawen selected an honorable name for their 
town. The orthography of the word has been rendered in many 
ways, as will be seen by the following list, kept by Mr. Daniel D. 
Webster when in charge of the post-office in Boscawen : 

" Copied from letters sent to Boscawen P. O., from April, 1859, to 
March 15, 1861: 

1. Boscawen. 18. Boscewine. 

2. Bascawane. 19. Boscoine. 

3. Bascawine. 20. Boscouin. 

4. Bas Coeuen. 21. Boscowena. 

5. Baskawen. 22. Boscuen. 

6. Basquine. 23. Boscwen. 

7. Boscauquine. 24. Boskaewen. 

8. Boscawaen. 25. Bos Quane. 

9. Boscawane. 26. Bos Quene Planys. 

10. Boscaweain. 27. Bosquine. 

11. Boscawene. 28. Bosquiues. 

12. Bos Cawean. 29. Bosquiny. 

13. Boscawean. 30. Boys Coyn. 

14. Boscawiane. 31. Booscwen. 

15. Boscawine. 32. Buscawwin. 

16. Boscawn, 33. Buskaine." 

17. Bosceane. 

THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING. 

The first town-meeting was called by the proprietors' clerk, 
Joseph Coffin. 

" This may inform the Free holders & other inhabitants of the plan- 
tation formerly called Contoocook Is now by his excellency Benning 



84 CIVIL HISTORY. [1760. 

Wentworth Esq Governor &c In & over His Majesty's Province of New- 
Hampshire made and Incorporated and Invested with Town privileges 
and the nominees thereof is by His Excellency's People called Boscawen, 
the said Freeholders and Inhabitants are hereby notified to meet at the 
Meeting House in said Town on the third Wednesday In June at Nine 
of the clock before noon to choose a town clerk assessors and all other 
Town officers for the year ensuing as the Law Directs. By order of 
His Excellency 

" JosKPii Coffin 

" April 30 1760." 

June 18. At the meeting thus called, Joseph Coffin was chosen 
moderator, George Jackman, Jr., town-clerk, John Webster, En- 
sign John Fowler, and Capt. Joseph Eastman selectmen and as- 
sessors, Benjamin Eastman constable, Andrew Bohonon surveyor 
of highways, and Dea. George Jackman and Moses Burbank 
fence-viewers. 

Voted, that the selectmen furnish a town pound. 

CALL TO REV. KOBIE MORRILL. 

July 10. A town-meeting was held this date. 

"Voted to raise £1200 old tenor— £800 upon the Rights, and £400 
on the Polls & stakes [polls and estates] for supplying the Desk and 
other necessary charges." 

Dea. George Jackman, Capt. Joseph Eastman, Ensign John 
Eowler, and Thomas Carter, were chosen to give a call to Rev. 
Robie Morrill, to become the minister of the town. 

proprietors' clerk. 

With the election of George Jackman as town-clerk, and also 
as clerk of the proprietors, the official connection of Joseph Coffin 
with the town ceased. For twenty-eight years he had filled the office 
of proprietors' clerk. He resided at Newbury, and not only at- 
tended all the meetings there, but, from anything that appears in 
the records to the contrary, also attended the meetings held in 
Contoocook. The records were clearly and concisely kept. The 
papers drawn by him were so lucid, that tliey might be compre- 
hended by the smallest intellect. With the exception of the 
years from 1757 to 1760, the records are intact. Possibly no- 
regular meeting of the proprietors was held while the petition 
for a charter was pending. 



1760.] CIVIL HISTORY. 85 

George Jackman, Jr., who succeeded Col. Joseph Coffin, was 
reelected for thirty-five years in succession. Thus, for a period of 
sixty-three years, the records were kept by two competent men. 

THE SETTLEMENTS. 

The settlements at this time were almost wholly on King and 
Queen streets. Very few settlers had gone west of Cold brook. 
The only road leading west was the road through the Gulf, to- 
wards Great pond. A road from Queen street joined it, probably 
not far from the old burial-ground. These highways were only 
cart-paths. Mr. Ephraini Woodbury had taken up his resi- 
dence on the plot of land now known as Woodbury plain. 
There were settlers on Fish street, and Benjamin Eastman 
was living on High street. Edward Emery's cabin, and pos- 
sibly Thomas Cook's, near Little brook, Avere standing — ten- 
antless. Jacob and Jesse Flanders had begun their clearings 
at the lower end of Water street ; but westward of Water street 
there were no settlements. 

FRAMED HOUSES. 

Framed houses were beginning to take the place of log cabins. 
It is not known who erected the first, but the house lately occu- 
pied by Mr. Franklin Morrill, by his father Benjamin Morrill, and 
by Rev. Robie Morrill, probably is the oldest framed house now 
standing ; — possibly it may have been the first erected. 

SOLDIERS FOR THE REDUCTION OF CANADA. 

It would seem that some of the citizens of Boscawen enlisted in 
the service for the final reduction of Canada. In the Boston 
Gazette for July 11 is an advertisement showing that all had not 
joined their company at the appointed rendezvous. 

"July 11, 1760 
" Return of men enlisted by Cap Alexander McNuttiu the Province of 
New Hampshire for the total Reduction of Canada, who have declined 
appearing at the Place of Rendezvous 
William Smith \ 
J3enjamin Rand J- of Contoocook 
Joseph Atkinson ) 
" Whoever will take up the above Deserters or any one of them shall 



86 CIVIL HISTORY. [1761. 

receive Ten Dollars for each man provided they are delivered in Boston 
to said Captain Alexander McXutt at the sign of the Black Horse at 
Capt Richardson's at the south end." 

The records of Boscawen malce no mention of William Smith 
and Benjamin Band. It is probable that they were residents of 
other towns, who enlisted to obtain the bounty that may have 
been offered. 

THE FIKST SCHOOL. 

March 3. At this first annual meeting after the organization 
of the town, an appropriation of thirty pounds was made for a 
school, to be kept two months. The teacher employed was Mr. 
Varney, who had preached for a short time after the death of Eev. 
Mr. Stevens. He was the first teacher employed in the town. If 
a school was taught prior to this date, it was a private affair. 
Probably none was taught, and the instruction received by the 
children was given by their parents. The hardships had been too 
great, and the country too much disturbed by the frequent Indian 
alarms and the marchings to and from Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point, to admit of any organized effort in educational matters. 
It is gratifying to know that almost the first appropriation of the 
town was for public instruction. It was a significant indication 
of its future prosperity. 

A committee was chosen, consisting of Eichard Blood and John 
Webster, for the purpose thus set forth : 

" To call the Committee to an account what they have Don with the 
Income of the Parsonage and School Land Savril year Past & to give 
an account to the selectmen of the same." 

Voted, " that Joseph Eastman, John Blanders and Moses Call 
settle accounts with Mr. Scales for preaching." 

Voted, " that the selectmen settle with the constable & pay him 
as much upon the Bound for gathering Rates as is customary in 
other towns." 

SETTLEMENT OF REV. ROBIE MORRILL. 

June 11. It was voted in town-meeting " that we Eaise one 
hundred pounds old tenor for moving up Mr Eobie Morrill from 
Chester." 

" Voted that we raise £200 old tenor for providing ordination." 
" Voted that we call Mr llobie Morrill to settle with us in the Gospel 
ministry." 



1762.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 8T 



Joseph Hoit, Thomas Foss, and Moses Call were chosen a com- 
mittee to lirovide for the ordination. 

The proprietors held a meeting, and took concurrent action in 
regard to the settlement of Mr. Morrill. 

Dec. 18. The town voted " that we give Mr Eobie Morrill 
seven hundred pounds old tenor for the year from the settlement 

at the Kate of Dollars at six pound per dollar & to Rise 

fifty pound a year till it comes to one thousand old tenor & there 
to be stated at that & the privilege of the parsonage at 25 cords 
of Good Wood at his house or place of habitation yearly from Set- 
tlement so Longe as he shall continue to be our minister." 

They kept good fires in those days ; but the chimneys were 
large, the fire-places wide, and twenty-five cords was not an ex- 
cessive amount of wood. 

" Voted that we give Mr. Eobie Morrill a Right of Land aquivelent 
to a right of Land for his one for ever and free from charges so Long 
as he shall continue to be our minister." 

The action of the town and that of the proprietors, in thus 
conferring upon Mr. Morrill a right of land in the town, is a 
testimonial of the generosity of the inhabitants ; but it was a 
nest-egg which subsequently hatched out a brood of treubles, as 
will be seen by and by. 

Mr. Morrill was ordained December 29, but no record has come 
down to us of the proceedings. 

SELECTMEN^'S ACCOUNTS. 

The accounts of the selectmen furnish some information in re- 
gard to the customs of the times : 

" Paid Mr Varney for keeping school 1760 £30 — — 

Paid Capt Gerrish for a journey after a minister 12—10— 

To Capt Gerrish for a journey for the same 17 — 14 — 

To John Fowler for three Bowls of punch at a Ven- 
due in bidding on town's meadow 1 — 16 — 
Paid Mr John Webster for moving up Mr Morrill 16—10— 
Paid to Dea Jackman for providing for ordination 1-10- 0— " 

MR. MORRILL'S LAND. 

1762. The proprietors, at the meeting held June 2, procured 
a right of land of Maj. Samuel Gerrish, at the expense of £1,000 



o8 CIVIL HISTORY. [1762. 

New Hampshire money, and conferred tlie same upon Rev. Mr. 
Morrill and liis heirs forever. This was in accordance with a vote 
of the town, passed at a previous meeting. 

TOWN MATTERS. 

It was voted to lay out the common land, and John Brown was 
chosen surveyor. Stephen Gerrish, Samuel Gerrish, John Web- 
ster, and Samuel Moody were appointed a committee to act with 
Mr. Brown. 

It was voted that Samuel Fowler should be exempted from pay- 
ing a minister's tax. 

" PAINS." 

At this meeting the following vote was passed : 

" Voted that every man who built a Pain in the fort have liberty to 
take it away." 

This has reference to the houses erected by the settlers in the 
fort, during the trouble with the Indians. Wlience the origin of 
the word " pain " ? It undoubtedly is a corruption of " pent- 
house " — " a shed, standing aslope from the main wall." [Web- 
ster.] The houses would naturally have but one roof — a "pent- 
roof" — '*one whose slope is all on one side." [Webster.] 

BOUNDAKY BETWEEN" BOSCAWEN AND SALISBURY. 

At a special toAvn-meeting, Nathaniel Danforth, John Webster, 
and Peter Coffin were chosen a committee to settle the line and 
bounds between Boscawen and Salisbury. Peter Coffin, though 
a proprietor, was at the time living in Newbury, and probably 
was selected to rej^resent the proprietors. 

CONSTABLE JOHN WEBSTER's ACCOUNT 1762. 

" Credit by money pd Province treasurer 601 — 8 — 8 

" " " " 121— 5— 

Credit to money paid to Rev<^ mr Morrill 233 — 6 — 8 

Credit by bad money on John Smith's ministers 

tax 2—12— 

[So John Smith was a citizen of Boscawen in 1762, 

and his money was bad!] 
Credit by money Discounted to mr webster for Sar- 

ving a warrant and charges in carrying a woman 

out of town 3 — 14 — 



1763.] CIVIL HISTORY. 89 

Credit by bad money 15 — 13 — 6 

Credit by 25 cords of Wood to Mr Morrill 175— 0— 

Credit for collecting money 56 — 10 — 



1209— 9— 2 " 
111 the call for the aimiial meeting, held March 3, this year, was 
an article "■ To see if the Inhabitants & Proprietors will give the 
privilege of a saw mill with Land convenient for the same on 
the brook which leads from Great Pond near the mouth of the 
same to any party of men who shall appear to build the same ; 
also to see what we wiU do consarning a highway which runs 
through John Flanders Land to Great Pond ; also to see what 
we will do in respect of procuring a highway Into the upper Inter- 
vale." 

At the meeting, the clause in regard to the saw-mill was not 
acted upon. In regard to the highway, Capt. Stephen Gerrish 
and Capt. John Eastman were chosen to view the highway through 
John Flanders's land, and report at the next meeting. This road 
was that leading from the lower end of Water street to Great 
pond. 

At this meeting, Ensign John Flanders and Capt. Stephen Ger- 
rish were chosen deer-keepers, and Capt. Joseph Eastman and 
Enos Bishop hogreeves. 

PROPKIETOKS' MEETING. 

1763. A meeting of the proprietors was held January 5, but 
for some cause, without transacting any business, was adjourned 
to June 1. 

The original act of incorporation Avas to continue in force for 
only two years. The time having expired, the town petitioned 
for a renewal of the charter, which was granted. 

proprietors' meeting. 

A meeting of the proprietors was held June 1. 

** It was put to vote whether the Proprietors would give the Privelege 
of the Great Pond brook to Mr. John Flanders for erecting a saw mill 
thereon & it was voted in the negative." 

" Voted that Mr Robie Morrill should chose the Right or share of 
land belonging to him — Cold brook No 3." 



90 



CIVIL HISTORY. [1764. 



That settlements had heen extended south-west of Queen street, 
is evident fi-om a vote passed at this meeting : 

" That John Webster be allowed to draw the Peace of land adjoining 
to him marked with the Letter X for the Half share of the Right of 
John Noj'es & a piece of land at the upper end of Dagodon meadow 
for the half of Joseph Tappau, provided he will allow a cart way- 
through the first mentioned peace tvhere it now is." 

The town gave Eev. Mr. Morrill the privilege of using tlie 
school and meeting-house lots for a pasture for the term of 
four years. 

The town confirmed several informal votes, passed during the 
years 1758, '59, and '60, while the petition for a charter was in 
the hands of the General Court. 

Mr. John Webster having procured a renewal of the town char- 
ter, wliich was received in October, the regular meeting for the 
choice of officers was held November 1, those chosen continuing in 
office till the next March. 

Mr. Webster was paid £82 old tenor for his services — "72 Days 
man & horse." 

WARNING OUT. 

The first warning out, as it was called, in the history of the 
town after its incorporation, occurred this year, as per record. 

" This may certify that John Uran with his wife and children was on 
the 5th Day of Feb 1763 Legally warned to Depart from the town of 
Boscaweu within the time which the Law directs by us the subscrib- 
ers. 

" Boscaweu Feb 5. 1763 

"■ George Jackman 
John Flanders 

Selectmen " 

March 6, 1764. The town met at the meeting-house, chose Mr. 
John Fowler moderator and Mr. George Jackman clerk, and then, 
"it being cold, the meeting was adjourned to Capt John Powler's 
to be held in haK an hour." 

Upon assembling in Mr. Fowler's house, the following vote 
was passed : 

Voted, that Moses Call he paid "ten pounds old tenor for 
services as constable ensuing jeav exclusive of what is custom- 
ary for gathering on the pound." 




li 



f 



f Y./ /^..Z^ 



^ I i^7^ ^"^ 



1764.] CIVIL HISTORY. 91 

Dea. Jesse Flanders, Oliver Fowler, and Ensign Henrj^ Ger- 
risli were appointed to call former selectmen to account. 

This is the first appearance in town affairs of Col. Henry Ger- 
rish, who, from this time on till 1790, held many offices of trust 
and honor at the hands of his fellow-citizens. 

Capt. Stephen Gerrish and Capt. John Flanders were appointed 
to set the time when the lower intervale should be opened in the 
sj^ring and closed in the fall. 

TAXES. 

It was voted that the constable should have one shilling in the 
pound for collecting the taxes. 

The rates charged Constable Moses Call for the year are thus 
divided : 

" to a province tax £171 — 1 — 6 

to a minister's tax 822 — 17 — 

to the town rates 111 — 16 — 

to a wood Rate 135 — 00 — 



12G0— M— 6 " 
The wood rate was for wood to be supplied to Eev. Mr. Morrill, 
and if added to his salary makes £957 paid for sustaining relig- 
ious privileges, against £303 for all other town expenses, or more 
than two thirds of the whole ! Not lightly did the men of the 
time value their religious instructions. 

In the constable's account are these items : 

" Discounted Savrill Rates of Churchmen's taxes £153 — 5 — 

Paid to Doctor Carter for medicine to a transient 

woman 8— 0— " 

" Doctor Carter " was Dr. Ezra Carter, of Concord. There was 
no physician in Boscawen at this date. 

By discounting the taxes against Friends and those who ad- 
hered to the Church of England, the town acted honorably and 
justly. The citizens were in no sense bigots. 

A town-meeting was held December 27, at the house of John 
Fowler, " To see if the Inhabitants will pass a vote to Defend 
the Constable for the present year, from Damage by Delaying to 
Colect the province Bate for som farther time as shall then be 
agreed on." 



92 CIVIL HISTORY, [1765. 

It was voted not to defend the constable, Moses Call. The cit- 
izens believed that men should be held responsible. Duty was an 
obligation. 

No school was taught during the year, unless by private sub- 
scription, the town not having made an appropriation. 

The paper money having depreciated, the town voted to make 
good the salary of Mr. Morrill, against which Capt. Stephen Ger- 
rish entered his dissent. The indemnity was £200 old tenor for 
two years, at the rate of £6 per dollar for the first year, and £7 
per dollar for the second year. 

FIRST LAWSUIT. 

July 17, 1765. The first action in law, in which the town was 
a party, occurred this year. At the regular town-meeting, which 
was held on this day, besides choosing officers, a committee was ap- 
pointed — George Jackman, Jr., and Thomas Carter — "to answer 
to the action commenced by Maj. Samuel Gerrish against said pro- 
prietors, also for any other suits that maybe brought." What the 
question in dispute may have been does not appear. 

Voted " to lay out a highway from Marlborough street to Con- 
toocook, in the most convenient jilace for building a bridge over 
the same." 

Capt. Stephen Gerrish, Capt. Joseph Eastman, and Thomas 
Foss were chosen a committee to lay out said highway. 

The rates charged to Constable Thomas Carter were, — 

" To a Province tax 297— 0— 9 

To a Ministers' tax 848 — 1 — 11 

To a Town Rate 178—12— 6 

To Money or Wood 148— 0— 8 



1472— 0— 8 
the same in Lawful Money 73 — 12 — " 

BRIDGE OVER THE COXTOOCOOK. 

Athough the proprietors, soon after settling the town, had 
chosen a committee to construct a bridge across the Contoocook 
river, nothing had been done in regard to it. All communication 
between the towns of Concord and Boscawen was by ferry ; but it 
was now resolved to construct a bridge. Both towns engaged in 
the enterprise, sharing equally in the cost, although the site se- 



1765.] CIVIL HISTORY. 9S 

lected for its construction brought it wholly within Boscawen. It 
was located in the bend of the river, above the Harris woollen 
mill, near the residence of Capt. John Chandler, in 1765. The 
builders were John Flanders of Boscawen, and Henry Love joy of 
Concord. 

The contract specified that it was to be constructed with " king 
posts " and " long braces." It was the first bridge that ever 
spanned the Contoocook. 

March 4, 1766. Voted £200 old tenor to defray town charges ; 
" that all ox sleds shall be made four feet ; that all & every per- 
son that shall not observe this vote <& make their sleds accord- 
ingly, being an inhabitant of this town shall for each offence be 
liable to pay a fine of one shilling Lawful money for each of- 
fence." 

Voted " that there should be four days worked out on the high 
way by each man & no more except necessary." 

CALLING THE SELECTMEN TO ACCOUNT. 

May 15. Winthrop Carter, Moses Morse, and Peter Kimball 
were chosen to settle the accoimts of the selectmen for 1761 and 
1765, " to know what the}' have done with the money that has 
been assessed in said year, and also to call the selectmen to an ac- 
count concerning the improvement of the school intervale." 

Voted to make Rev. Mr. Morrill's salary "good, agreeable to 
the vote in his settlement." 

DISCOURSING VS^ITH REV. MR. MORRILL. 

Sept. 15. " It was put to vote to see if said town or inhabi- 
tants will chose a committee to discourse with Mr. Robie Morrill. 
Voted in the affirmative." 

The action of the town in voting jMr. Morrill a lot of land, and 
the later vote to indemnify him on account of the depreciation of 
the currency, caused much dissatisfaction : hence the above vote. 
The committee " to discourse " with Mr. Morrill consisted of John 
Fowler, Jesse Flanders, Moses Call, Oliver Hoyt, and Joseph 
Fowler, who were to see on what terms he would consent to a dis- 
mission. 

Sept. 29. The committee reported Mr. Morrill's proposals,. 



94 CIVIL HISTORY. [1766. 

which were rejected hy the town. They subsequently rej^ortecT a 
second proposition from him, which was accepted. 

MR. MOKKILL's PROPOSITIOJ^. 

1. '' If the town of Boscawen vote that I shall be free from all rates 
excepting proprietors' tax on what I do or shall possess in Boscawen 
until the end of the year 1776, not exceeding 30 acres of improved land, 
four ratable heads of stock, & no wild land not exceeding the quantity 
of one whole right being rated by the town & that my heirs be free in 
same manner if I decease. 

2. " That I or my heirs if I decease have the full use of the pasture 
two years longer, which the proprietors voted me for the sum of £25 
old tenor. [This was the school lot and parsonage on King street.] 

3. " That the Town pay my salary as first voted excepting their pro- 
portion who joined themselves to the Church, this year & the last ex- 
cepting their proportion after they signed & that they pay me all the 
rest, If any leave the Church excepting what the town excuses. 

4. " That I be free from the charge of the Council. 

5. " That I have a copy of the subscriptions concerning me. If these 
things are this day complied with to my mind I will ask a dismission 
this year 176.G. R. Morrill." 

DISMISSIOjST of rev. MR. MORRILL. 

The proposition was accepted, and a committee was ajipointed 
to represent the town in dismissing Mr. Morrill, the town voting 
to pay the expenses of the council. Pastor and people alike seem 
to have acted fairly and honorably. Mr. Morrill remained in 
town, gave himself to every good work, and was respected and hon- 
ored by his fellow-citizens. He taught school many years, teaching 
in private houses in the various districts, before the erection of 
school-houses. 

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. 

In Rev. Mr. Price's histor}^, it is stated that George Jackman, 
Jr., was appointed justice of the peace in 1760, by His Majesty's 
authority, George II. "We have not been able to verify the state- 
ment. George III was now on the throne, and from the petition 
given below it would seem that George Jackman received his ap- 
pointment under George III, in 1766 : 

" To His Excellency Benning "Wentworth &c 

" Whereas the Town of Boscawen in said Province has ever since its 
first settlement been destitute of a commissioned Justice of the peace 



1766.] CIVIL HISTORY. 95 

such an office being often needed (more especially since our Late favor- 
able Incorporation by your excellency) we the subscribers and Inhabi- 
tants of said town pray your excellency to commissionate Mr. George 
Jackman junior of said Town to be justice of the Peace, he havino- de- 
served well for several years Last past in the acceptable discharge of 
public Trust to him committed and your petitioners will ever pray 
for the granting of their prayer. 
"Boscawen January 29, 1766 

" Ezra Carter Thomas Corset 

John Fowler Eph™ "Woodbury 

Thomas Carter Jesse Flanders 

John Webster Stephen Call, 

John Flanders Moses Foster petitions tho' 

William Emery not an Inhabitant of 

John Corser Boscawen." 

ITEMS FROM THE SELECTMEN'S ACCOUNT 1766. 

" Paid to the selectmen for perambulating the line between g 

Boscawen and Almsbury [Warner] 4 — 

paid Nathan Corser for wolf's head 4 — 

Paid Capt Eastman for entertainment for the council at £ 

Mr Morrill's Dismission 1 — 4 — 
Paid ]\Ir Thomas Foss the Sum of Savin shilling for his 
Sarvice toward Laying out highways & perambula- 
ting between Boscawen & hopkinton — 7 — 
Paid mr William Jerome for preaching two Days 2 — 8 — 
paid Capt fov/ler to expense of the town in the house 

[Mr. Fowler's] 3— 0— 

at another time paid him for two Bowls of punch 1 — 8 — 

at another bowl of punch for the Justice — 14 — 
paid Capt fowler for entertaining Rev'i mr ware after 

preaching 2 — — 

paid him for keeping mr morrills horse some time 4 — — 
also paid Capt Fowler for entertaining Som of the Com- 
mittee that ware chosen to appoint a place for a 

meeting house 6 — — 
Remaining on his Book not settled Savrill persons Rates 
who call themselves churchmen the whole of the 

money being 6 — 9 — 0" 

ITEM FROM CONSTABLE THOMAS CARTER's ACCOUNT. 

" Credit to warning moses Danford's wife out of Town 

& returning ye warrant 7 — 9 — 3" 



96 CIVIL HISTORY. [1766. 

MR. MORRILL's accounts. 

In 1775 a committee was appointed to adjust the town's ac- 
counts, whicli were in arrear, going back to the incorporation in 
1660. In connection with the settlement with Rev. Mr. Morrill, 
that gentleman made the entry, as below, on the records : 

" March 4, 1766 
"These adjusted accounts with the selectmen of Boscawen, re- 
specting all things but the wood rate which remains unsettled from 
the beginning of the world to the end of my third year's salary, which 
ended Dec 28, 1764 & there was due me from the town of Boscawen 
upon balance respecting that time, the full & just sum of one hundred 
& seventy-five pounds, fourteen shillings & six-pence old tenor. 
"175 — 14 — 6 RoBiE Morrill" 

There is also the following entry by Mr. Morrill : 

'' The subscriber remits to his People, and never will require the 
Inhabitants of Boscawen to make up to him, that proportion of his sal- 
ary due or to be paid the year 1765 & 1766 which proportion would 
have belonged to any Inhabitants of Boscawen to pay, if they had not 
been made free from it by law, so that no Inhabitants of this town, 
shall ever be required by me or by my heirs any more, by means of 
any inhabitant being exempted from paying toward my salary due or 

to be paid this year and the last 

" RoBiE Morrill." 

This action of Mr. Morrill undoubtedly was prompted by a 
sincere desire on his part to allay all irritation in regard to the 
levying of taxes to make good the deficiency of his salary caused 
by the depreciation of the bills of New Hampshire old tenor. 
Capt. Stephen Gerrish, a prominent citizen, had protested at the 
outset against indemnifying Mr. Morrill. The levying of the tax 
had caused several citizens to declare themselves churchmen, to 
escape the payment of all ministerial rates. The growing dis- 
satisfaction had caused the dismissal of Mr. Morrill, but it was 
so deep-seated and wide-spread, that the collector could not collect 
the rates levied on the proprietors, and legal proceedings were begun 
to recover rates levied and paid for the land purchased and settled 
upon Mr. Morrill. Under the law, the proprietors were powerless 
to collect the rates, and they accordingly petitioned the legislature 
for relief : 



17G7.] CIVIL HISTORY. 97 

" To His Excellency the Hon Banning Wentworth & the Hon Council 

& House of Representatives. 

" The Petition of us the subscribers hereby showeth that the Propri- 
etors of the Town of Boscawen have at their meetings from time to 
time voted sums of money as they thought needful to carry on their 
publick affairs and particularly a sum of money to purchase a Riglit of 
land in said Town of Boscawen for the encouragement of the settlino- 
a Gospel minister in the Town. 

" The Right has been purchased & given to the Rev Robie Morrill. 
The money has been assessed and such original Right was pro- 
portionately Taxed. And now for the want of Legal power to collect 
said money some part of said proprietors (notwithstanding their for- 
wardness in voting said money) neglect or Refuses to pay their equal 
part thereof & for want of said money's being collected and paid in 
there is an action in Law commenced against said proprietors in order 
to recover said money which is greatly to the prejudice & Damage of 
the rest of said proprietors who have paid their full part of said money 
& tends greatly to hinder the propagation and settlement of the same. 

" Therefore we Humbly pray your excellency & Honors to Invest 
said proprietors with full power & legal authority to collect what money- 
hath already been or shall hereafter be voted by said proprietors for 
their use by making sale of Delinquent proprietors Land or in any 
other way your excellency & Honors in your Great Wisdom shall think 
best & your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray. 

" Dated at Boscawen Aug 24, 1765. 

" Gf.orgp: Jackman 
Thomas Cartp:r 

Cora for said Proprietors." 
The petition was not acted upon till 1767, when the petitioners 
were notified through the Boston Gazette and New Hampshire 
Gazette, printed at Portsmouth, to present their case. 

TOWX-MEETING. 

Feb. 3, 1767. Dea. George Jackman, George Jackman, Jr., 
and Jesse Flanders were chosen " to supply the desk till next 
March meeting." 

It was also voted " to hegin a town school the present month." 

Eev. Mr. Nathaniel Merrill was employed as a i^reacher. 

March 3. Voted " to hire a school two months longer in the 
present year." 
7 



98 CIVIL HISTORY. [1767. 

It was also voted that £200 old tenor be raised for town ex- 
penses ; that the selectmen "hire some regular preaching" as 
long as they shall think proper. 

Voted " to clear Mr. Pelatiah Watson for taxes if he leave the 
Town by the last of June next." 

Voted, " that the selectmen he paid after sert^ing the town one 
year for nothing?^ 

NEW MEETIJfG-HOUSE. 

Sept. 8. The log meeting-house on King street had been in 
use from the first settlement, in 1733 — thirty-four years — and the 
time had arrived for a better edifice. The population was rap- 
idly increasing, and was extending westward and northward from 
King street. It was therefore voted at this meeting that a new 
meeting-house should be erected, and a committee was appointed 
to select a site. 

It was voted that, pending the erection of the meeting-house, 
the meetings should be held half the time at the house of Jesse 
Flanders (house now occupied by F. P. Atkinson). 

The committee appointed to select a site, reported as follows : 

" Boscawen Sept 8, 1767 

" We do hereby deliver it as our honest and impartial judgment that 
it be erected on that sapling pine land about 10 or 12 rods from the road 
towards Jesse Flanders, from that knowl above Ephraim Woodbury's, 
which was the last voted place, and that this meeting bouse be placed 
for those only that live on the Easterly side of Battle street so called, 
and that those who live on the Westerly side of said street be exempted 
from any cost in building said house. 

" As witness our hands, 

" Ezekiel Morrill ^ 

Sinkler Bean J- Com " 

Archelaus Moore ) 

From this it may be inferred that settlers had pushed west- 
ward to the Blackwater. Probably Mr. David Corser was living 
on Corser hill, and Mr. Day and Mr. Cass west of Blackwater 
river. 

Dec. 1. At a town-meeting, it was voted " to give Mr. Nathan- 
iel Merrill forty-two pounds lawful money which shall be his 
stated salary to be paid to him yearly, during the time he sus- 
tains the character of a minister in said Town." 



1767.] CIVIL HISTORY. 99 

Subsequently it was voted, that if this was not a sufficient sal- 
ary to support him, they " would add thereto as much as should 
be sufficient." 

Dec. 7. At an adjourned meeting, voted that the above vote 
advancing Mr. Merrill's salary shall be " null & void." 

It was then voted " to give Mr Merrill 80 acres of good land in 
the Town of Boscawen lying as near the middle of said inhabi- 
tants & as convenient as may be had for a reasonable price to be 
his own forever upon his settling in said town in the work of the 
Gospel ministry." 

POPULATIOX — 1767. 

A census of the province was taken during the year, — the first, 
so far as is known. The population of Boscawen is thus given : 

Unmarried men between 16 and 60, 17 

Married men, 45 

Boys under 16, 77 

Men 60 and above, 8 

Females unmarried, 83 

" married, 52 

Widows, 3 

Male slaves, 

Female slaves, 

Total, 285 



Other towns in the vicinity- 


-population : 




Concord, 




752 


Salisbury, 




210 


Canterbury, 




603 


Dunbar ton. 




271 


New Boston, 




296 


Hillsborough, 




64 


Canaan, 




19 


Plymouth, 




227 


Newport, 




29 


Haverhill, 




172 



From this it will be seen that the advance of population was 
directly up the Connecticut and Merrimack valleys. The popu- 
lation of the province was about 52,000. 



100 CIVIL HISTORY. [17GS. 

SETTLEMEJ^T OF MR. MERRILL. 

Jan. 9. At a town-meeting, held at " the house of Capt John 
Fowler Innholder," it was voted " to give Mr Nathaniel Merrill 
20 cords of good wood, cut »& corded at liis house or place of 
abode, yearly, together with all the income & improvement of the 
parsonage, so long as he shall sustain the office of a gospel minis- 
ter in said town." 

Voted, that the people above the pond (Great pond) should not 
be free from charge in the construction of the meeting-house. 

March 1. The town-meeting was held at the house of Jesse 
Flanders, but adjourned "for Sundry Reasons." 

March 31. Voted, " that the 15th day of June next be the 
time for the ordination of Mr Nath^ Merrill." 

George Jackman, Jr., Peter Kimball, Lieut. Moses Burbank, 
Thomas Foss, and Jesse Flanders were chosen "to agree with 
some suitable person in the town to provide in a decent manner 
for the ministers, delegates, & scliolars that should attend Mr Mer- 
rill's ordination." 

Seven pounds lawful mone}' was raised to defray the eiq^enses 
of the ordination; — also, seven pounds and ten shillings lawful 
money for the use of the town for the year. 

Oct. 5. Voted to raise "one hundred dollars" towards the 
building of a meeting-house. This is the first instance in the 
records of the use of the term dollar, in distinction from the word 
2yoimd. 

One sixth part Avas to be paid in money, and the balance in 
labor at two shillings per day. 

Thomas Foss, Benjamin Eastman, Peter Kimball, Joseph At- 
kinson, and George Jackman were appointed a committee to over- 
see the construction of the house. 

TAXES. 

The first list of ratable polls on record is for the year 1768, the 
number being sixty-three. Taxes were levied for the province, 
town, meeting-house, ordination, minister, wood for the minister, 
and a labor tax on the meeting-house. The labor tax was five- 
fold the money tax. 





^ 



Pv 



'(o r?^''^- 



7G9.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 101 



THE NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 



The site finally selected for the new meeting-house was near the 
north-west corner of the cemetery, west of Woodbury's plain. The 
frame was erected in July, and a town-nieeting held around it 
July 25, to see what measures the town would take towards fin- 
ishing the house. It was perhaps the only open air meeting ever 
held in town. 

Voted " to Raise two hundred & fifty pounds old tenor Toward De- 
fraying the charges already arisen in building the meeting house frame 
to be paid in Labour at fifty Shillings a Day and whoever Don't La- 
bour when Notified or pay Stuff" fit for the use of the house to pay 
money." 

Voted "to begin, & Go on with the finishing said meeting house as 
far as the pew privileges will go together with the money as above 
voted. 

*' George Jackman, Jun, Mr Joseph Atkinson, Ens Peter Kimball, 
Mr Benjamin Eastman, & Deacon Jesse Flanders ware chosen and fully 
Impowered as a committee to carry on the finishing said Meeting 
house." 

The old tenor currency had so far depreciated that fifty shil- 
lings was only equivalent to about forty-two cents lawful money, 
a shilling being less than one cent. 

Aug. 1. The committee appointed to appraise the pew privi- 
leges reported the appraisal and articles of sale as follows : 

" 1^' The pews to be sold to the highest bidder. 

" 2 — The money bid is to be understood Hampshire's old tenor. 

"S*! That no person bid less than 20 shillings a bid. [About sixteeu 
cents.] 

" 4 That every purchaser shall pay one fourth part thereof in money 
& the remainder in labor or lumber as said committee & purchaser shall 
agree, — provided the same be at Cash price & when wanted for the use 
of said house. 

" 5tii That Each pew be forfeited unless the purchaser pay the sum 
for which the same was bid oft' at in the following manner, viz: 

" The money to be paid in three months from the time said pew 
was bid off and the other to be paid when called for by the committee 
for the use of said house. 

" 6. That every person shall forfeit his pew privelege except that the 
purchaser have the same well finished within twelve months from the 
time said pew was bid off. 



102 CIVIL HISTORY. [1769. 

**7. That any purchaser shall pay down or give security for one 
tenth part of the value of what said pew was bid off at — which sum 
shall be forfeited unless the articles are fulfilled. 

" 8 That any person who will pay Nails & Glass at Cash price, or 
provide a joiner acceptable to the committee when wanted the same 
shall answer in lieu of money." 

Voted by the town, that " no wall pew be raised more than 12 
inches above the meeting house floor, & that no body pew be raised 
more than six inches." 

There is no writing tliat sets forth the dimensions of this first 
framed meeting-house. It was nearly square, and had a gal- 
lery, which was not finished till several years later, even if it 
was ever wholly finished. There was a pile of boards in one 
corner of the gallery, behind which the boys used to secrete them- 
selves, greatly to the annoyance of the tithing-man. The present 
town-house in Webster was modelled after this house. There 
was a porch at each end, and a front door. It was built after the 
prevailing style of the time, — a box-like edifice. 



1770.] 



OHAPTEE VI. 

PREPARING FOR THE GREAT STRUGGLE. 

pOR some reason not stated in the records, the annual town, 
meeting was held at the house of Rev. Mr. Merrill, near 
"Merrill corner," a half mile west of the new meeting-house. At 
this meeting, Capt. Peter Coffin was chosen constable. " At the 
same time," reads the record, " Captain Coffin hired Mr. Benjamin 
Eastman to serve in his stead & the town did by a major vote ac- 
cept said Eastman to take the oath & serve as constable." 

From this and similar votes, it would seem that the office of 
constable was one which a citizen could not decline. There was 
a prevailing sentiment that every citizen, if called upon, should 
bear his part of the burdens of office. 

PROVINCE ROAD. 

The proprietors held a meeting, and voted " to clear a road 
leading to No. 4, & that the northern, or upper road so called 
shall be cleared for the public road leading to No 4." 

This road was Long street, as laid out in the first survey by 
John Brown. 

" No. 4 " was Charlestown, on the Connecticut. During the 
French war, all troops marching to Lake Champlain had passed 
through Massachusetts to Alban}^ ; but this great highway was 
opened under the direction of the province, and was known as the 
Province road. 

Li the precept issued to Constable Benjamin Eastman for the 
collection of taxes, he was instructed to levy upon the inhabitants 
" twenty cords of good cord wood corded & put up at Rev Mr 
Nathaniel Merrill's door." 



104 CIVIL HISTORY. [1772. 

The highway leading south, from the new meeting-house to 
Queen street, was laid out during the year, to enable the inhabi- 
tants in that section to reach the meeting-house. 

March 5. The town raised fifty dollars, to be worked out on 
the school land, and one hundred dollars to be worked out on the 
highway. 

April 19. An adjourned meeting was held. It was put to 
vote " to see whether the town would buy a piece of land for Mr 
Merrill at two dollars and a half per acre & decided in the nega- 
tive." 

From this and other records, it may be judged that the average 
value of unimproved land at this period did not exceed this price.j 
Probably one dollar per acre woidd have been an average price. 

June 11. Voted to accept the highway laid out by the select- 
men "from the intervale road to the town house In-ook so called, 
to Marlborough street." 

It was put to vote to see whether the town would build a school- 
house, " & set it near Muzzey's N. E. corner & voted in the neg- 
ative." 

This was the first movement toward the erection of a school- 
house. The schools were kept in private houses. Muzzey's cor- 
ner was at the junction of Water and Long streets. 

It was put to vote to see if the town would purchase land of 
Mr. John Elliot, for Mr. Merrill, at one dollar per acre, and was 
decided in the affirmative. 

This vote Avas subsequently reconsidered. 

June 25. At this meeting, it was voted to purchase of Capt. 
Henry Gerrish the eighty-acre lot laid out to the right of Moses 
Smith, for Mr. Merrill. The price was " eighty Spanish milled 
dollars." The lot was on Beaver-dam brook, including a large 
portion of meadow. 

Voted to sell the old log meeting-house at vendue. 

March 3, 1772. Prior to this date, there had been no bridge 
across the Blackwater. Several settlers had located west of that 
stream, and John Elanders, Capt. Peter Coffin, and Joseph Atkin- 
son were chosen to select a suitable place for crossing said stream, 
and " to treat with the men who own the land." 

The town voted not to deduct anj'thing from Rev. Mr. Merrill's 
salary for those Sundays when he was absent ; — ^voted, also, " that 



1772.] CIVIL HISTORY. 105 

Mr. Moses Burbank be abated so much ministerial tax as be has 
paid to the Cburcb of Engbxnd since the settlement of Rev Mr 
Nathaniel Merrill." 

Voted to raise one hundred dollars, to be Avorked out on the 
highways '' at tlie following rates : men at two shillings, oxen at 
2 shillings, cart & wheels at 6 pence, plow 2 shillings per day." 

FIRST SALE OF PAUPERS. 

Voted, that " Ephraim Davis and wife be clothed at the charge 
of the town, and they shall be put to them that will take them the 
cheapest." 

This is the first record of the sale of the services of the indi- 
gent ijersons in town, which soon became the universal custom of 
all towns. 

The committee on the meeting-house matters thus reported : 

" This day the committee that was chosen to build a meeting house 
settled with the committee that was chosen to overhaul their accounts 
& see how they have disposed of the money & find due to the town in 
New Hampshire old tenor £405—12^ — O''." 

May 5. Voted to build a bridge over the Blackwater, at the 
place reported by the committee. 

The site selected was that now used near the town-house in 
Webster. 

THE BOSTON PORT BILL. 

The contest between Parliament and the colonies on the ques- 
tion of taxation was becoming intensified. In revenge for the 
destruction of tea in Boston, the ministry had carried a bill 
through Parliament closing that jiort to all commerce. The act 
went into effect at noon, June 1. Prom that moment, all in- 
tercourse between Boston and the world must be across the nar- 
row neck of land leading to Eoxbury. No ship could come or go ; 
no fisherman pass Castle William in a dory ; no scow land hay or 
wood at a wharf ; no market-gardener take his vegetables across 
Charles river into the doomed town. The act aroused sympathy 
everywhere. In retaliation, the jieople resolved to, quit using 
goods of English manufacture. The citizens of Boscawen, in 
common with those of other towns, issued their manifesto declar- 



106 CIVIL HISTORY. [1772. 

ing their determination not to purchase such goods. The origi- 
nal document is in the possession of James L. Gerrish, Esq., of 
Webster. It might be truthfully called the Preliminary Decla- 
ration of Independence. 

THE DECLARATIOJf OF THE PEOPLE, 

'' We the subscribers Inhabitants of the town of Boscawen having 
taken into serious Consideration the precarious State of the Liberties 
of North America and more especially the present distressed condition 
of our Sister Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, Embarrassed as it is by 
several Acts of the British Parliament tending to the entire Subversion 
of their natural & Charter Rights; among which is the Act for blocking 
up the Harbour of Boston : 

" And being fully sensible of our indispensible Duty to lay hold on 
every Means in our Power to preserve & recover the much injured Con- 
stitution of our Country; & conscious at the same Time of no Alterna- 
tive between the Horrors of Slavery, or the Carnage & Desolation of a 
Civil War, but a Suspension of all Commercial Intercourse with the Is- 
land of Great Britain, do, in the Presence of god, solemly & in good 
Faith, covenant & engage with each other. 

" 1 That from henceforth we will suspend all Commercial Intercourse 
•with the said Island of Great Britain until the Parliament shall cease to 
enact Laws, imposing Taxes upon the Colonies, without their consent, 
or until the pretended Right of Taxing is dropped. 

" 2 That there may be less Temptation to others to continue in the 
said now dangerous Commerce; & in order to promote Industry Econ- 
omy, Arts & Manufactures among ourselves, which are of the last Im- 
portance to the Welfare & Well Being of a Community; we do in like 
Manner, solmly covenant that we will not buy, purchase or consume, 
or suffer any Person, by, for, or under us, to purchase, nor will we use 
in our Families in any Manner whatever, any Goods, Wares, or Mer- 
chandise which shall arrive in America from Great Britain aforesaid, 
from & after the last Day of August next ensuing, (except only such 
Articles as shall be judged absolutely necessary by the Majority of the 
signers hereof) and as much as in us lies, to prevent our being inter- 
cepted or defeated in this only peaceable Measure entered into for the 
recovery & Preservation of Our Rights or the Rights of our Brethren 
in our Sister Colony; We agree to break off all Trade & Commerce 
with all Persons, who preserving their private Interest to the Salvation 
of their now almost perishing Country, who shall continue to import 
Goods from Great Britain, or shall purchase of those who import after 



1772.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



107 



the said last Day of August, until the aforesaid pretended Right of 
Taxing the Colonies shall be given up or dropped. 

" 3 As a refusal to come into any Agreement which promises Deliver- 
ance of our Country from the Calamities it now feels, & which like a 
Torrent, are rushing upon it with increasing Violence, must, in onr 
Opinion, evidence a Disposition enimical to, or criminally negligent of 
the common Safety; — It is agreed, that all such ought to be considered, 
& shall be by us esteemed, as Encouragements of Contumacious Im- 
porters. 

" Lastly, We hereby further engage, that we will use every Method 
in our power, to encourage & promote the Production of Manufactures 
among ourselves, that this Covenant & Engagement may be as little 
detrimental to ourselves & Fellow Countrymen as possible. 



Nathaniel Gookin 
John Elliot 
Samuel Corser 
Thomas Eliot 
Joseph Jackman 
Moses Call 
Ebenezer Wise 
Jedediah Danford 
John Corser 
John Bowley 
Henry Gerrish 
George Jackman 
Moses Burbank 
Sam' Fowler 
Benj^ Eastman 
Peter Kimball 
Isaac Pearson 
Joseph Atkinson 
John Flanders 
Sam' Atkinson 
John Hale 
Isaac Noyes 
Benjamin Jackman 
Peter Coffin 
Moses Burbank jr 
Samuel Jackman 
Nathaniel Atkinson 
Richard Ilsley 
Samuel Muzzy 
Ezekiel Flanders 



Aaron Flanders 

William Danford 

John Flanders jr 

John Elliott 

Jacob Flanders 

Nathan Corser 

Jesse Flanders 

Benj Sweatt 

Cutting Noyes 

Daniel Richards 

Joseph Dunlop 

Oliver Fowler 

Isaac Fitts 

Timothy Eastman 

John Couch 

Thomas Corser 

John Corser 

Jonathan Corser 

William Mirick 

John Jackman 

Samuel Jackman 

James Garis [Gerald?] 

Edmund Chadwick 

Benja Day 

Israel Shepherd 

Hezekiah Colby 

Daniel Peterson 

Benjamin Eastman 

Daniel Shepherd 

John Stevens 60 " 



108 



CIVIL HISTORY. [1773. 



THE FIRST PHTSICIAX. 



During the year Dr. Daniel Peterson took up liis residence in 
Boscawen — the first resident ph3^sician in the town. He built 
the house now standing — the first building north of the academy, 
on the Plain. (See Biography.) 

1773. In the selectmen's account with Constable Winthrop 
Carter for this jeav is tlie following : 

" To an order on Capt Henry Gerrish for Sarvice on 

the Country affairs £i_16-'— Sp " 

Another item : 

" An order to Ens Kimball as committee on the Country 

affairs 3— 1—11 " 

This was Capt. Peter Kimball, who, with Capt. Gerrish, was 
chosen to meet other towns in convention, to take into considera- 
tion the formation of a new county. A convention of towns in 
Hillsborough county was hold during the 3'ear, but no action 
taken. 

In the selectmen's account are other items which, in the absence 
of other records, show the progress made by the town : 

" Gave John Hale an order for making the buring cloth 1 — 2 " 

This is the first mention of a funeral pall. 

" Gave an order to Joseph Couch for boarding a School Master 

in the year 1772 .5^ — " 

As Joseph Couch had taken up his residence on the farm now oc- 
cupied by Miss Nancy Couch, it is clear that the school was held 
in what is now the town of Webster. Without doubt, it was the 
first school kept west of Beaver-dam brook. The number of fam- 
ilies west of tluit boundary probably did not exceed ten. The 
school was held either in Mr. Couch's house, or in tlie house of 
John Corser, now occupied by Mr. Tilton, or in the house of Sam- 
uel Corser, now occupied by Mrs. Simeon B. Little. It is not cer- 
tain, however, tliat the last named was erected as early as 1772. 

TOWX coRisr. 

In the selectmen's account is an item in relation to the " town 
corn." 



1773.] CIVIL HISTORY. 109 

" Paid to Winthrop Carter for shelling 22 bushels and a 
peck of the town corn and sorting and carrying up 
garrit 4«— li'— 1*" 

How the town happened to be carrying on agriculture in its 
corporate capacity, is wholly a matter of conjecture. The town 
had no farm. Kot till 1820 did it set up an almshouse. There is 
nothing in the records relative to the matter. The supposition is, 
that some person indebted to the town made payment in corn. 

THE FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE. 

" Voted that the selectmen have liberty to move the middle school 
from the place stated & that they place it in such place as they shall 
find best to accommodate the Inhabitants in said district according to 
Interest." 

iSTo school-house had been erected, but a site had been se- 
lected by the town for a building. It was to be the "middle 
school." There were two other districts, — the one on King street, 
and one west of Beaver-dam. The people on Water street were 
the first to petition for a house. For several years their requests 
had l)een in the warrant for town-meeting. They felt that the 
time had come when the schools should be taught elsewhere than 
in a private house, and had si;cceeded in getting a vote for the 
erection of a school building. The site selected was at the junc- 
tion of Long and Water streets. The building subsequently 
erected was the first school-house built. For sevei-al years after 
this, the schools in other districts were taught in private houses. 

REMOVAL OF REV. MR. MERRILL. 

Eev. Mr. Merrill, who was settled in 1768, was removocl about 
the first of April. "Respecting his removal," says Eev. Mr. 
Price, " no correct information can be had from the written rec- 
ord, as the records of the town furnish none, and the church rec- 
ord was then misplaced, or lost, and has never to this day been 
found." 

Mr. Price further states that Mr. Merrill had joined the Graf- 
ton Presbytery, and that, through his influence, the church had 
in part changed from the Congregational to the Presbyterian 
polity. This new connection was the cause of his being fre- 
quently absent to supply vacant pulpits, which produced discon- 



110 CIVIL HISTORY, [1774. 

tent in the church and congregation. "The discontent was 
increased by some supposed, if not real, aberrations observed in 
his conduct, and proved a fatal bar to his usefulness." This Mr. 
M. discovered, and applied to the Presbytery for removal. No 
action was taken by the church or the town. 

Nov. 1. At a meeting of the town, Joseph Atkinson, George 
Jackman, and Samuel Muzzey were appointed to provide " some 
suitable person of the Congregational order to preach the gospel 
as soon as may be." 

This brings us to the close of the year 1774, a period of forty 
years since the first settlers reared their cabins on King street. 
During this time they had fought the Indians, maintained their 
ground while other towns were deserted, and had moved steadily 
on in the path of civilization, felling the forests, cultivating the 
soil, maintaining from the beginning a minister, establishing 
schools, and passing from poverty to comparative comfort in 
worldly goods. On all questions touching their rights and liber- 
ties they were intensely patriotic, and never for one instant stop- 
ped to inquire what would best promote their material interests, 
but, in regard to the Stamp act, the duties on tea, the Boston 
Port bill, and kindred matters, stood unflinchingly for the rights 
of man. It was an intelligent, thrifty, religious, law and order 
abiding community, standing in the foremost rank of agricultural 
towns, ready to share in every trial and hardship necessary to 
maintain their liberties. 



W^^ 'fi 




/ 



^/y 7 / /i^y rf/'y-^yj:^ 



1774.] 



CHAPTEE YII. 

BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION. 

^rtT HE citizens of Boscawen manifested their patriotism at the 
^^ beginning of the year in electing Henry Gerrish as delegate 
to the provincial congress, which was held at Exeter, January 25. 
He was clothed with full powers. 

The attack of the British at Lexington was on April 19. The 
news reached Boscawen on the 20th ; and on the 21st, sixteen men 
Avere on the march under Capt. Henry Gerrish. They were, — 

Henry Gerrish, Capt., Samuel Jackmau, 

Silas Call, I^ieut., David Flanders, 

Wiuthrop Carter, Sergt., Charles Greenfield, 

Samuel Fowler, Esq., Peter Roswell Stevens, 

Edmund Chadwick, Israel Shepard, 

John Flanders, Isaac Davis, 

John Stevens, Edward Gerald, 

Nathaniel Burbank, Nathaniel Atkinson. 16 

We may think of them as assembling at Fowler's tavern, at 
the lower end of King street, with their guns and powder-horns, 
and possibly, here and there, a citizen carried a knapsack. They 
fill their canteens with rum at Mr, Fowler's bar, and take a part- 
ing drink with their neighbors. We see them crossing " Town- 
house brook," and hear the tramp of their marching as they pass 
over Contoocook bridge. 

The news must have reached town on the morning of the twen- 
tieth. Capt. Peter Coffin saddled his horse, and started for 
Exeter, where we find him on the twenty-first, in consultation 
with sixty-eight other delegates — " to consult what measures shall 
be thought most expedient to take in this alarming crisis." 



112 CIVIL HISTORY, [1774. 



THE INHABITAIS'TS. 



The number of inhabitants in the state at this time, and at 
other periods, may be estimated from the returns made at a later 
date (1792) by Joseph Pearson, secretary of state, who searched 
the provincial records for that purpose. The ratable polls were, — 

1742—5,172 1767—11,964 

1753—6,392 1773—13,853 

Beckoning five persons to a family, the inhabitants at the differ- 
ent periods would be, — 

1742—25,960 1767—59,820 

1753—31,960 
The population of the state at the breaking out of the Eevolu- 
tion, may be estimated, therefore, at about 75,000. 



TOWX-MEETIXG. 



At a meeting of the town, the following votes were passed : 
''Voted to buy one barrel of Gunpowder, one hundred weight of lead 

and one hundred flints. 

" Voted that Capt Stephen Gerrish buy the stores at as reasonable 

price as may be, for the use of the town. 

''Voted to adhere strictly to advice of the Continental Congress." 
A committee was appointed " to see if the aforesaid laws [of 

congress] be obeyed." 

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 

The committee of safety consisted of Benjamin Jaekman, 
Joseph Atkinson, Ebenezer Hidden, John Elliot, Capt. Henry 
Gerrish, Lieut. Moses Call, George Jaekman, and Ensign Peter 

Kimball. 

March 14. A committee was appointed to procure a preacher, 
and was instructed to apply to Mr. Levi Frisby. 

Twenty-five pounds was voted for school purposes ; and it was 
also voted to employ Mr. IVIorrill (Mr. Eobie Morrill) as teacher. 

Twenty pounds was voted for preaching. 



1776.] CIVIL HISTORY. 113 

TOWX-MEETINGS. 

May 10. The committee on preaching had not been able to 
hire Mr. Frisb}', and Mr. Samuel Ela was engaged. 

Voted, that " that j^art of the town lying above the pond [Great 
pond] so called have their part of preaching among them in pro- 
portion to the tax they pay." 

Capt. Henry Gerrish Avas again elected to attend the provincial 
congress at Exeter, to serve for six months. 

Sept. 21. " It was put to vote whether Mr. Samuel Ela has 
behaved as a Christian & Gospel preacher to their satisfaction & 
it was unanimously voted in the affirmative." 

Notwithstanding this endorsement, it was thought best to in- 
quire more particularly into Mr. Ela's history ; and at a subse- 
quent meeting, held September 25, Peter Kimball was appointed 
agent " to go to the place of Mr. Ela's former residence, & make 
enquiry into the character of Mr. Samuel Ela & make report to 
the town." 

A committee was appointed " to enquire of sundry persons who at 
present do not join with said town in their publick affairs & know 
the cause of their not attending & lay the same before the town 
in order that the same may be removed." 

This had reference to a few individuals who had not joined in 
the patriotic movement. 

March 5, 1776. Eobie Morrill, Peter Coffin, and Moses Bur- 
bank were appointed " a committee of inspection agreeable to the 
recommendation of the Continental Congress." 

That the town was prompt in settling with those who had vol- 
unteered to go to Cambridge, will be seen from the following 
vote : 

" That those men that went on the alarm in April last & all others 
who have demands against the town bring in their accounts as soon as 
may be." 

SCHOOL-DISTRICTS. 

Prior to this date there had been no regularly defined school- 
districts in town. The money that had been raised annually was 
in addition to that arising from the school fund ; but now, in the 
midst of war, the citizens took a forward step in education, and 



114 CIVIL HISTORY. [1776. 

voted to divide tlie town into school-districts, eacli district having 
its school in proportion to its valuation. 

THE ASSOCIATION TEST. 

The continental congress sent out the following resolutions : 

" 111 Congress March 16, 1776 

^'Resolved: That it be recommended to the Several Assemblies, Con- 
ventions, and Councils or Committees of Safety of the United Col- 
onies, immediately to cause all Persons to be disarmed within their 
Respective Colonies, who are notoriously disaffected to the cause of 
America, or who have not associated and refuse to associate, to defend 
by Aryns the United Colonies, against the Hostile attempts of the Brit- 
ish Fleets & Armies. 

" Charles Thomson secy." 

This was submitted to the committee of safety for New Hamp- 
shire : 

" Colony of New Hampshire 
" In Committee of Safety ' April 12'^ 1776 

"In order to carry the Resolve of the Hon.'ble Continental Congress 
into execution, you are requested to desire all Males above Twenty 
one years of age ( Lunatics, Idiots, & Negroes excepted) to sign to the 
Declaration on this Paper; and when so done to make Return thereof, 
together with the Name or Names of all who shall refuse to sign the 
same, to the General Assembly or Committee of Safety of this Colony. 

" M Weare Chairman." 

The paper submitted for signature is known as the " Articles of 
Association." 

ARTICLES. 

" In consequence of the above Resolution of the Hon Continental 
Congress, and to show our determination in joining our American 
Brethren in defending our Lives, Liberties and Properties of the Inhab- 
itants of the United Colonies : 

"TFe the subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage, and promise, that we 
tuill to the utmost of our Potver, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, 
with Arms, oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets and Ar- 
mies against the United Colonies." 

This was the people's Declaration of Independence, agreed to be- 
fore the signing of that document issued hy the continental con- 
gress, July 4. They put their names boldly to the paper, thereby 
declaring themselves rebels. 



1776.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



115 



Every citizen of Boscawen, with one exception, signed it. From 
this document, we have the name of every male adult in town in 
the spring of 1776, not including those who were doing military 
service. 



" Joseph Hoit. 
Moses Call. 
Moses Morse. 
Jesse Flanders. 
Moses Burbauk. 
John Flanders. 
Daniel Noyes. 
Daniel Clark. 
Benj'' Da)'. 
Kathan Corser. 
Joseph Atkinson. 
Robie. Morrill. 
Moses Bnrbank, jr. 
Thomas Gardner. 
Samuel Atkinson. 
Jeremiah Hidden. 
Caleb Merrill. 
Daniel Peterson. 
Benjamin Couch. 
Jacob Flanders. 
John Knowlton. 
Eben Hidden. 
Henry Gerrish. 
Daniel Shepard. 
Isaac Pearson. 
Winthrop Carter. 
Samuel Davis. 
Benj" Rolfe. 
Ezeliiel Flanders. 
John Elliot, jr. 
Thomas Elliot. 
John Muzay. 
John Jackman. 
James Garies [Gerald?]. 
Enos Flanders. 
Jedediah Danford. 
Jesse Flanders, jr. 
William Danford, Jr. 



Samuel Corser. 
Stephen Gerrish. 
Samuel Burbank. 
Moses Jackman. 
Enoch Gerrish. 
John Morrill. 
Silas Call. 
Joseph Gerrish. 
Mich^ Sargent. 
Thomas Bedel. 
Simeon Jackman, 
William Welch. 
Moses Call. 
David Burbank. 
Simeon Atkinson. 
Timothy Eastman. 
Joseph Pearson. 
Joseph Flanders. 
Friend Little. 
John Corser. 
Edmund Chadwick. 
Moses Morse, jun. 
Moses Manuel. 
Samuel Jackman. 
Daniel Richards. 
David Coi'ser. 
Asa Corser. 
John Corser. 
Edward Garies [Gerald?]. 
John Manuel. 
Bitfield Plumer. 
David Carter. 
Nathaniel Gookin. 
John Stevens. 
Samuel Ames. 
Thomas Corser. 
Jonathan Atkinson. 
Samuel Clifford. 



116 CIVIL HISTORY. [1777. 

Peter Kimball. Joseph Bean. 

John Hale. John Fowler. 

Robert Elliot. John Ilsley. 

James French. Peter Coffin. 

Sam^ Danford. Oliver Fowler. 

Benjamin Jackman. John Bowley. 

Joseph Muzzy. John Bowley, jr. 

Samuel Muzzy. John Corser, Jan. 

Isaac Noyes. George Jackman- 

Peter Roswell Stevens. Samuel Agaton. 

William Danford. John Uran. 

Nicholas Elliot. George Jackman, jun. 

Capt. Stephen Gerrish. Cutting Noyes. 

Nathaniel Atkinson. John Elliot. 

Enoch Little. Joseph Eastman. Total, 108. 

Nathan Davis. 
" To the honorable Council and House of Representatives for the 
Colony of New Hampshire, or Committee of Safety. This may cer- 
tify that the within Declaration have Been offered to the Inhabitants 
of Boscawen and unanimously signed excepting one (viz) Aaron 
Flanders Refused to sign the same. 

" George Jackman ") 
Cutting Noyes ^ Selectmen 
John Elliot ) 

" June 3 1776." 

It is probable that Mr. Flanders's refusal to sign was not from 
any hostility to the cause of liberty, nor from fear of conse- 
quences, but from his temperament as an individual. He was a 
person who found pleasure in being on the side opposite the ma- 
jority, no matter what the question. It is not known that his 
fellow-citizens abated their confidence in his loyalty from his re- 
fusal to sign this declaration of independence. 

The names given are from the original document in the secre- 
tary of state's office. It is difficult to make out some of the signa- 
tures. The name given in the provincial papers as " Garies " is 
undoubtedly Gerald, as no such name appears in contemporaneous 
records, and as it is Icnown that Mr. Edward and Mr. James Ger- 
ald were residents of the town at the time. 

March 4. At the annual meeting, £35 was voted for schools, 

£35 for preaching, £20 for the town, and £4:0 for the highways. 

March 28. Among the citizens of the county, who were sup- 



1778.] CIVIL HISTORY, 117 

posed to be tories, were Peter Green, Esq., a lawyer residing at 
Concord, also Jacob Green, a deputy sberiff ; and the patriots of 
Boscawen concluded to make known their sentiments in regard 
to tlie gentlemen in the following manner : 

Voted, "that we will break off all counections with Peter Gi'ceu 
Esq, in regard to employing him as an attorney at law." 

Voted, " that we will not employ uor have any connection with Jacob 
Green as Deputy Sheriff." 

On the next day, March 29, the citizens deliberated on the 
state of the country, and passed the following j^atriotic votes : 

" That Capt Stephen Gerrish, Capt Peter Kimball, Samuel Fowler 
Esq, Lieut Benj Jackman, Mr John Flanders, & George Jackman Esq, 
be a committee to propose a plan and lay before the Town for procur- 
ing the men to go into the service of the United States of America agree- 
ably to Order of Court." 

Voted, " that the war for time past & for future be maintained by a 
tax on the Inhabitants in the same manner as the Law directs for Prov- 
ince Tax, allowing a man no more for four months service on his credit 
in the Southern army than for three mouths in the Northern army and 
so in proportion." 

Voted, " to give fifty dollars as a bounty or hire from this Town to 
each man who shall engage to go into the service of this Town for three 
years." 

Voted, "that the selectmen provide the money to pay the men who 
shall enlist." 

April 25. The citizens again assembled to take measures to 
push on the war : 

Voted, " to carry on the war by a tax in equal proportion, on the in- 
habitants according to interest in the same manner as for their town 
tax." 

A committee v^as appointed, consisting of George Jackman, 
Capt. Peter Kimball, John Elliot, Lieut. Enoch Gerrish, Mr. 
John Planders, Samuel Muzzy, Capt. Samuel Atkinson, and 
Isaac Pearson, " to enquire into the state of service already done in 
the war, & make a just & equitable estimate of each Term that 
has been done & make report." 

The depreciation of the Continental currency had already 
begun, and prices were unsettled. The state, therefore, under- 
took to regulate them. In accordance with an act of the council 
and assembly, a town-meeting was held to undertake this task of 



118 CIVIL HISTORY. [1779. 

making water run up hill, — settling what never has been or can 
be settled. 

Capt. Peter Coffin, Lieut. Winthrop Carter, Joseph Atkinson, 
Capt. Peter Kimball, Lieut. Moses Burbank, Mr. Robie Morrill, 
Lieut. Moses Call, and George Jackman, Esq., were chosen a com- 
mittee ''to regulate the price of sundry articles enumerated in 
sundry acts of the General Court of New Hampshire ; also to 
state such prices as are not therein enumerated." 

Although sustaining this war, the town was not unmindful of 
the needs of education. Upon the selectmen's accounts are the 
following items : 

"Paid Capt Peter Coffin towards Schooling £16— 8— 

Paid for Ammunition 10 — — 

toward Scliool on High st 5 — 14 — 

toward keeping school at the lower end (King st) 9 — 12 — 1 

pd Expei'ieuce Eastbrook, for preaching 21 — — " 

PREACHIXG AT THE WEST END, 

At the annual meeting, in March, a petition was presented, by 
some of the citizens living west of Beaver-dam, praying that they 
might be permitted to have preaching at that end of the town, 
in proportion to the amount of their taxes. The request was 
granted. 

SMALL-POX. 

It appears that inoculation for small-]30x was at this time re- 
garded as a hazardous experiment. The question came up in 
town-meeting, and, after discussion, the following vote was 
passed : 

^'' Voted that Col Gerrish & his family have the liberty to be innocu- 
lated for the small-pox if it appear to the selectmen to be expedient & 
may be done with safety in the town's behalf." 

March 2, 1779. Notwithstanding the taxes imposed by the war 
for independence, the citizens did not abate any expense in main- 
taining preaching. 

Voted, " that the ministerial committee inform Mr. Eastabrook 
that it is the unanimous vote that he would supply them again as 
soon as his engagement is out at Londonderr}-.'' 

Provision was made to supply the families of those who had 
enlisted in the continental service. 



1779.] CIVIL HISTORY. 119 

John Flanders and Samuel Atkinson were chosen " to procure 
hinges, bars & lock to the meeting house, & see the same se- 
cured." 

One hundred and twenty pounds was raised for highways, £40 
for school, £30 for preaching, and £30 for the town. 

It was voted to make " some consideration to the men who had 
enlisted in the continental service." 

April 21. George Jackman was elected as delegate to the con- 
vention called to meet at Concord on the 10th of June, '' to form 
a permanent place for state government. Also voted that Nich- 
olas Davis keep the key of the meeting house." 

At this meeting the voters of Salisburj'' were present, and the 
two towns agreed not to send a representative to the General As- 
sembly. This action was not from any want of patriotism, but 
evidently it was the opinion of the people that the convention to 
be held in Concord was the more important assembly, and that 
the old government would soon be superseded by the new. 

May 12. Voted to employ Rev. Experience Eastabrook three 
months as preacher, and to raise £100 for the support of the gos- 
pel. 

[From the selectmen's accounts.] 
"paid Mr Eastabrook for one days preaching £9 — — 

paid Mr Ward For preaching a Day 3 — 12 — 

paid Benj Thurston for preaching two Days 18 — — 

paid for keeping Mr Eastbrooks hors 5 weeks 2 — 5 — 

paid Mr Abraham Gumming sixty six pound toward 

preaching at Boscawen 66 — — 

paid Cutting Noyes for Sarvice as selectmen two years, 

keeping schoole & Going to Salisbury for a cow 27 — 8 — 
paid Henry Gerrish for money paid Mr Potter (minister) 

& for Bording mr Jiidson's horse two (days) 4 — 19 — 

paid Isaac Noyes for making two Collins 3 — 12 — " 

SAW-MILL AT THE WEST END. 

During the year a saw-iiiill was erected on Blackwater river, a 
few rods above the mill now owned by Friend L. Burljank, Esq. 
It was erected by Henr}^ Gerrish. Work began May 21, and the 
mill was finished July 19. A large number of men were em- 
ployed in its construction, their united work being 349 days. 



>120 CIVIL HISTORY. [1779. 

PAPER RAGS. 

The war had made paper very scarce. The liome manufacture 
of paper was begun ; but rags were needed. The town, at its an- 
nual meeting, voted, — 

" That Dea Isaac Pearson & Capt Samuel Atkinson be collectors of 
Bags for the Paper Mill.'' 

Neither by record nor tradition can we learn the location of the 
paper-mill. Probably it was in some other town. 

Col. Henry Gerrish and Capt. Peter Kimball were appointed to 
procure men for the service of the United States. 

Owing to the depreciation of the currency, the town voted that 
fiye dollars should be paid for a day's work on the highway. 

July 7. At a town-meeting, held this date, the selectmen and 
Capt. Peter Kimball were appointed to hire four " Continental 
men, & five Ehode Island men upon the most reasonable terms 
they can," and further to supply men from time to time as they 
should be called for. 

Sept. 8. The plan of government prepared b}' tlie convention 
at Concord was presented to the citizens, thirty-five of whom 
were present. It was read, article by article, and rejected, — fif- 
teen voting for and twenty against its acceptance. 

Nov. 3. At this meeting the town once more attempted to 
make water run up hill, by choosing a committee to regulate 
prices. 

A convention of town committees was held at Concord ; — but 
laws of trade are superior to committees, and people bought and 
sold irrespective of tariffs. 

ITEMS OF EXPENSE. 

" paid Daniel Flanders Nathan Carter & Joseph hoit in 

part for going in the Sarvice two months 49 — 16 — 
paid John Elliot for money paid Mr Henery for keeping 

school 1—10— 
paid John Elliot for Sarvice as selectman and Bording 

a school mistress 7 — 8 — " 
This is the first mention of a school-mistress on the town rec- 
ords. 

" Paid Mr ITutchins for preaching 66 — 6 — 

paid William Mirrick for Boarding school master 3 — — " 



1779.] CIVIL HISTORY. 121 

RETURNS OF THE INVENTORY. 

" Number of Polls 18 years old & upward 189 

Number of male slaves 

Female slaves 

Number of acres of Orchard Land 7|- 

Number of acres of arable tillage land 205 

Number of acres of mowing land 601 

Number of acres of Pasture land 358 

Number of Horses & Mears 57 

Number of colts 2 years old 1 1 

Colts one year old 13 

Oxen 82 

Cows 77 

Cattle 3 years old 68 

<' 2 " " 82 

u I u << 107 

yearly reve [revenue] of mills repairs deducted £70 
Sum total of the value of all Building & real estate improved 

owned by the Inhabitants £4789 

unimproved real estate not owned by the Inhabitants £2200 

Sum total of value of stock in Trade £200 
Sum total of money iu hand or at interest not in the public 

fund £225 " 

CHARGE TO LIEUT. WINTHROP CARTER, CONSTABLE. 

" To a Continental & State Rate £1575— 7— 6 

To a County & Town Eate 144— 0— 

To a minister Rate 121 — 07 — 1 

To a Continental Rate ad 2971— 1— 8 

To a Non Resident proprietors Rate 451 — 15 — 

To a War Rate 670—17— 7 

£5934— 9— 4 " 



[1780. 



OHAPTEE YIII. 

CLOSE OF THE WAR. 

^ HE theatre of war was in the Southern states, and the militia, 
^4^ while being always ready for service, was not called upon for 
active duties. The citizens, however, were compelled to manifest 
their patriotism in a most-unwelcome way, — the payment of heavy 
taxes in a currency depreciated to such an extent that one hundred 
dollars would barely suffice to buy a pair of shoes, or pay for an 
ordinary meal. The rates charged to constable David Corser 
were, — 

" To a Continental Rate £14058— 2— 6 

To a Rate on the Non Residents 740— 0— 

To a Town Rate 2045—18— 9 

To a School Rate 1525— 9— 

To a County Kate 131—16— 

To a Ministerial Rate 1024—1.5— 

To a tax on the Improved land of the Nou Resident 

Proprietors 65 — 15 — 



£19.592— 6— 5 
To a Beef & AYar Rate 14910—04—00 



£34502—10— 6 " 
The disbursements were largely on account of the war. 

ITKMS. 

" To Mr Hutchinson for preaching 92 — 8 — 

clothing for Jonathan Uran for the Sarvice 99 — 9 — 

paid W™ Jackman for Beef 189— 3— 

" " " for Sarvice 259—18— 

" '' " for going into Sarvice 269 — 3 — 6 



same 
same 



47—11— 
30—18— 



1780.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 123 



paid for a pair of Stockings for Jonatlian Urau 18 — — 

paid for a shirt for Jonathan Urau 22 — 10 — 

paid Capt Peter Coffin for beef 319—18— " 

Tliomas Coffin, though but four years old at the time, remem- 
bered the transaction. The rate was levied in Continental money, 
but was paid in coin. He remembered the clinking of the Spanish 
milled dollars on the hearth, to ascertain their genuineness. 
"paid Joseph Couch for boarding Mr Noyes & horse 72 — — " 

Mr. Noyes probably was a minister, the last employed before 
the engagement of Rev. Samuel Wood. How long he preached 
is not known. From another entry, in 1783, " paid Mr Thomas 
Noyes for preaching 4 — 10 — 0," it may be inferred that he was an 
occasional preacher, supplying the pulpit from time to time. 
" Paid John Flanders casting lead into Balls 26 — 5 — 

Paid Daniel Clark for a pair of shoes for Uran 30 — — 

paid Joseph Hoit for going into sarvice 259 — — 

paid Simeon Carr 259— 0— 

paid Jonathan Atkinson for keeping schoole 288 — — 

paid Wiuthrop Carter for a hat for John Uran 21 — — 

paid for clothing John Uran for Sarvice 140 — — 

paid Jonathan Urau for going into Sarvice 90 — — 

paid Jonathan Uran for going to be mustered 69 — — " 

It is to be hoped that Jonathan Uran was a valiant soldier, for 
it cost a great deal of money, to say nothing of the selectmen's 
running here and there, to get him into the " Sarvice." 
" paid Joseph Lunt for two pairs of Shoes for Jonathan 

Uran 72— 0— 

paid Enoch Little for his son's sarvice in the army 4G1 — — 

paid Cutting Noyes for cloth for Jonathan Uran 33 — 15 — 

paid Joseph Little going into Sarvice 189 — — 

for Sarvice 210-0-0 

paid .Moses Morse for cloth for Jonathan Uran 65 — 11 — " 

KEV. SAMUEL WOOD. 

During the year, Mr. Samuel Wood, of Lebanon, a graduate of 
Dartmouth, and a young theologue, was employed to preach. The 
town had been without a settled minister during the whole period 
of the war. Mr. Wood being an acceptable preacher, a movement 
was made towards his settlement ; but no result was reached till 
the ensuing year. 



124 CIVIL HISTORY. [1781. 

The depreciation of the continental currency was so great, that 
a day's work on the highway was reckoned at £6, or $20. The 
selectmen had heen accustomed to charge $2 a year for their ser- 
vices, hut the town voted $100 instead, and two bushels of pease ! 
The pease were, probably, quite as valuable as the money. 

1781. The selectmen were directed to assess a tax that would 
su2:)ply preaching for eight months, and the committee were di- 
rected to employ Mr. Wood at least four Sundays. 

Lieut. Enoch Gerrish was chosen town agent for procuring 
beef for the continental army. 

The first record of the several school-districts gives the division 
of the school money : 

SCHOOL-DISTRICTS. 

" Proportion of school money to Each District for the year 1781 

The lower end school [King st] £8 — 3 — 5 

Kiver Road School [Fish st] 3—16—10 

Water st School 5— 0— 4 

Over the Pond South Dist [Putney] 4— 7—11 

Over the Pond North District [White Plain] 3— 9— 9 

Atkinson District 3— 1— 9 " 

The districts on Corser hill, Little hill, and Battle street are 
wanting. 

TOWX RATES. 

The taxes charged to Constable George Jackman, collector, 
show that they were levied partly in the new emission of conti- 
nental mone}^, and partly in hard money. 

CALL TO REV. MR. WOOD. 

July 31. A special meeting was held, at the request of the 
church, to ascertain the sentiments of the town in regard to set- 
tling Mr. Wood, and adjourned to August 13, when it was voted — 
66 to 16 — to extend an invitation to Mr. Wood, with a salary of 
£50 for the first two years, — the money to be valued at 6s. 6d. per 
ounce, — to be paid in coin, or its equivalent in current money. 
After two years the salary was to increase £5 per annum until 
it reached £70, which from that time on was to be his salary. 



1781. J CIVIL HISTORY. 125 

The town also voted £90 for his expenses of settlement, Avith 
the use of the parsonage. 

A protest was signed by twenty voters, and entered upon the 
records, "against the proceedings of this & former meetings in 
proceeding to settle Mr. Wood in the Presbyterian way as a 
town." 

THEOLOGY. 

Theological lines at this period were sharply drawn, in regard 
to the doctrine of the atonement and original sin. Especially 
was this the case in Newbury, from whence most of the original 
proprietors came. Dr. Murray, of that town, was an exponent 
of what was called the " limited atonement," or an atonement for 
the elect, while Dr. Samiiel Spring was a leader of the " new 
view," as it was called — that Christ died for all. The majority 
of the citizens of Boscawen had accepted the " new view," while 
there was still a respectable minority who believed in the '* lim- 
ited atonement." 

Out of this controversy came new names. The new view men 
were called " Four-cornered " or " Square men," and the others 
" Three-cornered men." The '"' four-cornered men " arrogated to 
themselves more comprehensive views, and a fuller and more per- 
fect system of doctrine, than were held by their " three-cornered " 
brothers. 

CROWSFOOT A^"D THEOLOGY. 

It was about this time that tlie yellow crowsfoot, or butter- 
cup, made its appearance in the fields and pastures. It is nar- 
rated that a " three-cornered " man, while mowing the crowsfoot 
with the intention of exterminating it as a noxious weed, said, — 
'• So am I determined to do what I can to exterminate the heresy 
of the general atonement ! " 

Those who protested against the settlement of Mr. Wood were 
the " three-cornered " men. Although the opposition was so pro- 
nounced, Mr. Wood was settled, the ordination being on the 17th 
of October, 1782. 

Erom the first settlement of the town " the gospel " was the 
first care of the inhabitants. No matter how difficult to obtain 
the necessaries of life, to clear the forests, to obtain their daily 



126 CIVIL HISTORY. [1782. 

bread, to protect themselves from the Indians, or to secure their 
liberties, the gospel must be preached. It is the one distinguish-^ 
ing feature of the proprietors' and the town records. Without 
doubt, the prosperity, stability, and high character of the town, for 
one hundred and forty years, are due to this devotion to principle. 
Eev. Mr. Wood, by his urbanity and prudence, won universal 
esteem, silenced all opposition, and remained the pastor of the 
church till his death, which occurred in 1834. 

LORDS PROPRIETORS. 

The lands of the proprietors who had not paid their taxes were 
sold July 11th. Though so large a proportion of the tax had been 
levied in the new emission of continental money, the depreciation 
was so great that the taxes yielded very little revenue ; and at a 
town-meeting, held September 10th, the selectmen were directed to 
levy the tax anew, in silver. 

Boscawen at this time was classed with Salisbury as a repre- 
sentative district ; but the two towns could not agree upon a candi- 
date, and remained unrepresented. 

1782. Though Cornwallis had surrendered, peace had not been 
declared. The town still stood ready to meet any demand that 
might come, for men or supplies. At the annual meeting, in 
March, Lieut. Enoch Gerrish was again chosen to provide men, 
beef, and clothing for the army, if needed. 

The meeting-house had been erected thirteen years, but the 
galleries were still unfinished. The calls for money during the 
war had been so frequent and urgent, that no effort had been 
made towards completing the edifice. At a special meeting, held 
in May, the town voted to sell the gallery pews, and apply the 
proceeds towards finishing the house. 

proprietors' meeting. 

For a period of ten years there had been no meeting of the pro- 
prietors. Many of the proprietors, or their heirs, deemed it ad- 
visable to sell the lands held in common and undivided ; and a 
meeting was held, October 2d, to take the matter into considera- 
tion. 

It was voted to sell the remaining estates at public auction. As 



1782.] CIVIL HISTORY. 127 

a tokeu of their desire to aid in every public enterprise, tliey made 
a donation of 400 feet of glass for the glazing of the windows in 
the gallery of the meeting-house, and Col. Henry Gerrish was ap- 
pointed to procure the same. 

CLAY HILL. 

At an adjourned meeting, held November 12th, the proprietors 
sjDecifically reserved two acres of land at Clay hill, to be for the 
common use of all the proprietors, — thus securing forever to the 
inhabitants of the town an interest in the excellent deposit of 
clay at that locality. 

FROM THE selectmen's ACCOUXTS. 

Feb. 28. 

" paid for rum for the army 13 — 11 — 4 
paid to Simeoa Atkinson for Banestors & Hing [for the 

Meeting House] 7^ — 

paid Mehetable Hidden for keeping schoole 16 — " 

Although a female teacher was employed as early as 1779, the 
name of IMehitable Hidden is the first of her sex on record. 

Another item : 
"paid Wells Burbank for hording School Dame 1 — 1 — " 

Mr. Wells Burbank lived on Water street, on land formerly 
owned by Thomas Coffin — now by G. W. Fisher — and the chil- 
dren of that district had therefore the benefit of Miss Hidden's 
instruction. 

In February, the selectmen settled with Eev. Mr. Wood for his 
services before his ordination. 

[From the Records.] 

"Feb 28 1782. 
'' This Day reckoned and settled with the selectmen of the Town of 
Boscawen and Received an order on Benjamin Jackman constable for 
the sum of Nine Pound three shillings & ten pence Lawful money 
■which is in Full for all the Time I have supplied the Desk in Boscawen 
before the Day of my ordination 

Samuel "Wood 

George Jackman K^j^^^^^^^^„ 
Cuttmg JSloyes ) 



128 CIVIL HISTORY. [1783. 

STATE AND KATIONAL GOVERNMENT. 

1783. The plan of state government, sent to the towns for 
adoption, was presented at the annual meeting, in March, and re- 
jected. 

Eev. Samuel Wood, Col. Henry Gerrish, and Samuel Fowler 
were chosen delegates to the state convention, to set forth the 
objections of the tovm. 

At a meeting, held August 18th, the eighth article of the confed- 
eration between the states was approved by the town, as recom- 
mended by the General Court. 

SECOND BRIDGE OVER THE BLACK WATER. 

At a special meeting, held September 29th, the town voted to 
build the upper bridge over the Blackwater, near Dea. Eliphalet 
Kilborn's residence. 

The selectmen's books show the amounts of the school fund ap- 
portioned to the several districts : 

"Lower End Schol [King st] 16— 4— 6 

River Rode Schol 5 — 2 — 5 

Highst Schol 6-2—8 

Water st Schol 12—17— 9 

South District over Beaver Dam 10—14—10 

North District over Beaver Dam 3 — 18 — 5 " 

TOWN CENSUS. 

The selectmen's books also give the first town census : 

" Number of Inhabitants, buildings & Land in Boscawen as taken 
Oct 178.3. 

" White Inhabitants 756 

Black ditto 1 

Dwelling houses 98 

Barns & other Buiklings 101 

Acres of Land 25,820 

"Taken April 1783 

" No of Polls from eighteen to seventy-five years of age 151 

No of negroes 

Acres of Orcharding 15 

Arable & Tillage Land 196 



1784.] CIVIL HISTORY, 129 

Mowing Land 652 

Pasture Land 612 

No of Horses & mares 75 

Oxen 134 

Cows 221 

Horses & cattle three years old 78 

Horses & cattle two years old 114 

Horses & cattle one year old 105 

yearly rent of mills £50 

value of all Building & Keal Estate & improved land £4463 

value of Real Estate not owned by Inhabitants £2595 

value of stock in trade £50 
value of money in hand or at Interest Not in the publick 

Funds " 

Tlio town had been settled fifty years, and tliougli it contained 
7d8 inliabitants, yet the whole anionnt of tillage, pasturage, mow- 
ing, and orcharding was only 1,475 acres, out of 25,820 com- 
prised in the town limits. Thus slowly had civilization made its 
way in the dense forest that at the outset covered all the terri- 
tory. 

MEETING-HOUSE AT THE WEST END. 

The people living west of Beaver-dam brook, being so far from 
meeting, agitated the question of the erection of a house of wor- 
ship at the West end, and a committee was chosen to select a site. 

1784. The town during the war took care of the families of 
the soldiers in the service. In the selectmen's accounts are the 
items of clothing, provisions, and other articles furnished the fam- 
ily of Joshua Danford. It is interesting, because it sets forth the 
depreciation of the currency, and the peculiar hardship to the 
soldiers in taking their pay in a worthless currency. 

" Feb 16 1674. 

" To one bushel of wheat Delivered you — 6 — 

To answering your order by John Jarrold 4 bush corn 12 — 

To one bushel Corn bj^ your wife 3^ — 

To one bushel &. a half of Corn 4 — 6 

To Corn by Capt Coffin 15— 

To 592 Continental Dollars 75 for one 2 — 7 — 3 

To 546 Continental Dollars at 100 for one 1—13— 

To a ton of hay & a bushel of potatoes 2 — 2 — 

To 30 lbs salt pork at 9 pence 1 — 2 — 6 

9 



130 'CIVIL HISTORY. [1784. 

To two pair shoes & one pair Mogersons 1 — — 6 

To Rum, Sugar, Molasses & Salt by Lunt — 17 — 7 

To oue pair shoes 6 — 

To pasturing a cow — 9 — 

To 4^ bushels of rye 1— 7— 

Boscawen Fb 13 1784 
Keckoned & settled all accounts with Joshua Danford 
From the time of His first Entering into Conti- 
nental Sarvice up to the First Day of January A D 
1774 allowing him at the Rate of Sixty Dollars a 
year as a hire or Bounty and Deducting one hun- 
dred dollars in part of the above amount for 
amount exhibited to the state for alowauce by the 
order &find due him 6 — 18 — 7 

" Joshua Danford." 

GENERAL WARXIXG OUT. 

During the year the selectmen gave a general '' warning out " 
to persons not born in the town, — not, perhaps, that the individ- 
uals were likely to become paupers, but as a precautionaiy meas- 
ure. It was among the possibilities that well-to-do citizens might 
become poor, and in such case a warning out would relieve the 
town from responsibility. It was the ethics of the time. Among 
the number thus notified to leave were Schoolmaster Fisk and fam- 
ily, and others, who, through life, were substantial citizens. The 
duty was performed by Constable Edmund Chadwick. 

ROAD TO DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. 

Settlements were pushing northward, especially up the Con- 
necticut valley. The rich meadows and uplands of Haverhill and 
Newbury and other localities were exceedingly attractive, and 
there was a public demand for an improved road from the Merri- 
mack to the upper Connecticut. The people of the upper towns 
petitioned the legislature for a public road. The jjetition was 
presented in 1784, and an act passed appointing Timothy Walker 
of Concord, Ebenezer Smith of Meredith, and Henr}^ Gerrish of 
Boscawen, a committee to lay out the same " four roads wide, be- 
ginning at the River Road or highway (so called) in the town of 
Boscawen in the most convenient place & from thence to proceed 
in the most direct course the situation of the land wiU admit of to 



1786.] CIVIL HISTORY. 131 

Connecticut river at or near Dartmouth CollegCj having respect 
to public & private interests." 

On the copy of the act sent to Col. Henry Gerrish are the 
notes, — 

" 1785 May 24 set out. Returned 30th d — 7 Days. Adjourned to 
Sept 12th 1785 to meet at Col H Gerrish's. 

" Oct 26"^ 1785. Made a Return of said Road which [was] received 
& was accepted by the General Court." 

The road left the river in the hollow at the north end of King 
street, and ascended the hill, crossing the present highwaj^, and 
descending the steep hill to Cold brook ; then winding up the 
ravine past the brick-kilns, crossing the road leading to Bashan, 
striking across the plain to Woodbury hill ; thence up the pres- 
ent travelled road to Merrill corner ; thence to High street. So 
far as the town of Boscaweu was concerned, few changes were 
made in the then existing roads. 

The highway was called the ^' College " road, and after the 
fourth New Hampshire turnpike was constructed, was known as 
the " College old road." 

In the selectmen's account for the year is an item in regard to 
Blackwater upper bridge : 
*' paid Silas Call for Rum to Raise Blackwater Bridge 7^ — 0." 

Whether it was the raising of a bridge, a barn, a dwelling, or a 
meeting-house, whether a wedding or a funeral, whether the citi- 
zens were at home or abroad, nothing was done without the stim- 
ulus of ardent spirit. 

'^overhauling" a committee. 

March 7, 1786. The citizens of Boscaweu were watchful of 
their interests. At this meeting, Capt. Peter Coffin, Samuel 
Fowler, and Ebenezer Hidden were appointed "to overhaul and 
settle with a former committee that was chosen to sell the Gal- 
lery pews in the Meeting house & see how they have proceeded 
in the matter." 

A committee was also appointed "to overhaul the selectmen's 
books." 

Maj. Enoch Gerrish and David Carr were appointed "to assist 
the surveyor in building a bridge across Clay Hill." 



132 CIVIL HISTORY. [1786. 

This Lridge was intended to avoid tlie steep descent and ascent 
tbrougli the gulf. It stood a few feet west of the present bridge. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Through the war the citizens had been compelled to manufacture 
all articles of wearing apparel. Carding and fulling mills were 
established in every town. Men acquainted with the dressing of 
cloth were in demand. Some time during the war, Isaac Pearson, 
of Newbury, began the dressing of cloth in the " hollow," and rap- 
idly accumulated a fortune. 

Hatters were also a necessity. Wheelrights, joiners, cabinet- 
makers, were to be found in every town. Wagons were not at 
this time in use, but carts were needed everywhere. Saddlers 
and harness-makers, and mechanics in general, were able to thrive 
by their industry. Skilled labor commanded remunerative prices. 

GUNPOWDER. 

During the war, powder was in great demand. 

Many stories are current of the quality of some of the powder man- 
ufactured during the war. There was a scarcity of saltpetre, and 
stable floors were frequently taken up to obtain the earth beneath 
for leeching. Some of the powder manufactured was slow to ignite, 
and of no great explosive force when ignited. It is related that 
a soldier, having some of the poor powder, flashed his gun. He 
thought that he had forgotten to load, and had only primed it. 
He placed himself in position to load, when, hearing a fizzing, he 
discovered that the charge had taken fire and was coming up the 
barrel. Being quick-motioned, he took aim once more, just in 
season to send the bullet into the ranks of the enemj'^ ! 

It is stated that on another occasion a quantity of powder in a 
keg took fire, and nearly half of it burnt up before it could be 
extinguished ! 

These stories, if classed among those related by Baron Munchau- 
sen, may at least be set down as illustrative of the humor of the 
times. 

SCARCITY OF MONEY. 

There was great distress at this time on account of the scarcity 
of money. Paint it in the most vivid colors, and the picture will 



1787.] CIVIL HISTORY, 133 

not be overdrawn. Continental money was worthless. A hun- 
dred dollars would not i^urchase a sjjool of thread, or a brealifast. 
There was no state currency ; there were no hanks ; there was 
little silver and less gold in the country. The small amount of 
silver in circulation was of Spanish coinage, received through 
trade with the West Indies. There was little direct trade with 
Europe, and what little had sprung up was against the United 
States, rather than in their favor. There was nothing to cause a 
flow of the precious metals to America, hut, on the contrary, what 
little was here was gradually flowing from the country : and 
this while there was a rapid increase of poiKilation. 

Nearly all trade was by barter. The great difficulty was the pay- 
ment of taxes. A weak, inchoate, inert, lifeless confederation of 
states had been established, — a body without a heart or head. 

The New Hampshire legislature called for an expression of 
public opinion in regard to the issuing of a paper currency by 
the state. The town, at a special meeting in November, gave its 
assent to the issuing of a currency equal in amount to the in- 
debtedness of the state, to be redeemed at the end of seven years. 

REBELLIONS. 

The discontent of the times broke into open rebellion in Massa- 
chusetts, under Gen. Shay, the leader of the movement ; also in 
Pennsylvania, and in the sea-coast towns of New Hampshire. 
The disturbance in this state was quickly quelled by the firm, 
energetic, yet conciliatory measures of Maj. Gen. Sullivan. No 
breach of the peace occurred in Boscawen ; but tlie spirit of 
discontent was abroad, manifest in a disregard for law and order, 
as will be seen further on. 

POPULATION. 

The increase of population in the town may be seen from the 
following item in the selectmen's books : 

" The Number of Soles in the Town of Boscawen of Every age Seek 
and Condition taken in the month of April A D 1786 are computed at 
827 Soles." 

The town met, March 31, to choose a representative to the 



134 CIVIL HISTORY. [1787. 

General Court, but, after mucli debate, voted tbat the town would 
not be represented. 

This was due to the prevailing discontent of the times — a 
dissatisfaction with the state of public affairs, the want of cur- 
rency, and an inability to see their way out of their troubles. The 
confederation and the state were supposed to be the authors of 
their troubles, or at least responsible, and the majority of the citi- 
zens desired no connection with either body. 

MOVEME^'T FOR A NEW COUNTY. 

Prom the formation of Hillsborough county, the session of the 
court had been held at Amherst ; but the towns in the northern 
section agitated the question of making a second shire town. A 
convention was called to meet at Warner, to which delegates were 
elected by the several towns. Boscawen united in the effort, and 
a petition was presented to the General Court, and an act obtained 
making Hopkinton a shire town. 

FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 

The federal constitution, framed in 1787, was submitted to the 
states for adoption. There was a large nuiiiber of people in the 
state ojjposed to its acceptance. Many of the citizens of Bos- 
cawen deemed it an objectionable instrument, and regarded its 
adoption as a surrender of their liberties. 

At a special meeting, held January 14, the town elected Capt. 
Joseph Gerrish delegate to the convention called by the state. He 
was supposed to be in favor of the adoption of the constitution. 
The minority, not satisfied with the result, induced the selectmen 
to call a second meeting, May 23. A majority of those present 
elected Samuel Fowler, Esq., delegate, and instructed him to vote 
against the adoption of the constitution. 

The two delegates made their appearance at the convention, 
and Capt. Gerrish was deemed to be duly elected, and was admit- 
ted to his seat. He expressed, undoubtedly, the sentiments of a 
majority of the citizens, in voting for the adoption of the consti- 
tution. 



1789.J CIVIL HISTORY. " 135 

ELECTION UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. 

Dec. 15. The first election was held under the federal consti- 
tution, when very little interest was manifested. At the JNIarch 
meeting, 115 votes were cast for governor, but at this meeting 
the highest vote for electors was 36. 

March 3, 1789. Voted, " that Mr E Chadwick & Mr Samuel 
Muzzy, two former Constables, ha^e the liberty to collect their 
taxes now due in neat stock provided they pay in the same be- 
tween the first day of May & the first day of June." 

SALE OF SCHOOL LANDS. 

The town voted to dispose of a portion of its school lands, and 
keep the fund intact for educational purposes. Money was very 
scarce. The federal government had issued no coin. Nearly all 
transactions were by barter. It was accordingly voted, that 
" Stock equal to six feet oxen at twelve pounds the york, ($60), 
wheat at five shillings per bushel, rye at four sliillings & Indian 
corn at three shillings be taken in payment.'' 
The lots sold as follows : 

" House lot f 124. 

Interval lot 210. 

80 Acre lot 453. 



Sgi787." 
Two other lots — one of 100 acres and one of 45 acres — were re- 
served. The amount was placed on interest, loaned to the town, 
and has so remained to the present time, the interest being an- 
nually appropriated to the support of schools. 

The school-district on Little hill and two districts west of Long 
pond were established during the year. 

The road from Long street south to Dwight corner, known as 
Pleasant street, and thence to Bashan and Hopkinton, and the 
road from High to Fish street, familiarly'- known as the ''cat- 
hole," were opened as public highways. 



[1790. 



OHAPTEE IX. 

UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. 

^HE adoption of the federal constitution, the reorganization 
'^ of the state government, brought order out of chaos. Then 
began a period of advancement. Emigration set in. There was 
a rapid increase in popuhation, and progress in domestic as well as 
political affairs. In a very short time the meeting-house accom- 
modation was not sufficient. A portion of the floor was occupied 
by " seats " common to all ; but there being a demand for more 
pews, the town voted to sell space sufficient for the completion of 
four pews. 

There was dignity in sitting in a pew. The men of the period 
estimated rank, condition, station, titles, and honor at their full 
value. The minister, of all men in town, was entitled to respect. 
The deacons and elders occupied the seats immediately in front of 
the pulpit, and were treated with much respect. The town jus- 
tice was honored in his office, and was always addressed as 
" Esquire." Colonels, captains, lieutenants, and ensigns were hon- 
ored in their military titles. The community was undergoing a 
change; it had reverenced the king, but now the community 
itself was king. It had pushed monarchy from the throne, 
and enthroned itself : it had assumed the prerogatives of govern- 
ment, and was beginning to feel its power. A few years later 
democracy was rampant, but at this time law and order, and an 
adherence to old time customs, were characteristic of the citizens 
of the town. Men who were able to own a pew in the meeting- 
house were not disposed to occupy the common seats. Hence the 
sale. The pews were bid off by 

Nathaniel Green, Esq., $66 

Joseph Lunt, 41 




UJi.^^-t^'^^^^^yi^iC^C^ ^^^^-^^^Ci..-^^ 



1791.] CIVIL HISTORY, 



137 



Simeon Atkinson, f>40 

Enoch Gerrish, 36 

1791. For some cause the town elected five selectmen, the first 
and only time in its history. 

The committee for finishing the meeting-house were instructed 
'' to extend the length of the front gallery & that there be two 
pews — one on each end — finished at the charge of the town near 
by six feet square & that the remainder be finished for a singers 
pew." 

"Voted that the selectmen be directed to remove Tliomas Greenfield 
& family provided that it be according to law." 

What Thomas Greenfield and family had done does not appear ; 
but the probabilities are that they stood in need of the town's aid, 
and may not have been warned to leave. From the vote, it would 
seem that the question before the town was one of law, rather than 
of ethics or of sentiment. 

The people at the West end had made several efforts to obtain a 
meeting-house in that section, but not having succeeded, agitated 
the question of dividing the town, and prepared a petition to the 
General Court for that purpose. 

PETITIOX FOB A NEW TOWN. 

" To the Honerable Senate & House of Representative's of the State 

of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled: 

" Tlie subscribers Inliahitants of the westerly half of the town of 
Boscawen in said state, Humbly beg leave to show that the easterly half 
of said Town was first settled & that the meeting House built to accom- 
modate that part of the Town only, giving the westerly part which was 
then thinly inhabited encouragement for a parish whfu their numbers 
were sufficient, but as it is not agreeable to the laws of the state, your 
petitioners are exposed to great inconvenience & hardship in attending 
public worship, Town Meetings & especially in the winter season — it 
being more than five miles from the Meeting House to the Centre of 
the westerly half of said Town & that from the combination of Ponds, 
Hills & Swamps &c which lie between the easterly & westerly half will 
ever render it inconvenient to remain in one District & in our present 
situation we have no redress without the aid of this court. 

" Your petitioners therefore pray that the westerly lialf of said Town 
maybe set off from the easterly half & incorporated into a seperate 
Town by the name of Bristol with the same privileges as other Towns 



138 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



[1791. 



in this state or otherways relieved as your Honors in your ■wisdom 
shall see meet & your petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever yjray. 
"Boscawen June 1, 1791. 



"John Thorla, 
Thos. Thorla, 
Caleb Knight 
Benja. Stickney 
Jeremiah Gerrish 
Moses Coffin, 
James Corser 
Friend Little 
Benja. Little 
Joseph Little 
Enoch Little Jr 
Jesse Little 
Naty Barnard 
Tristam Barnard 
Philip Barnard 
Thomas Barnard 
John Asten 
Nathan Stevens 
Samuel Roby 
Samuel Beverly 
William Corser 
Thomas Corser 
Samuel Jackman 
John Jackman 
Moses Jackman 
Samuel Atkinson 
Joseph Hills 
Joseph Cass 
Ben. Cass 
Joseph Gerrish. 
Eldad Austin 
Asa Day 
Benjamin Day 
Simeon Jackman 
Edward Gerald 



Sam^ Jackman 3'^ 
Benj Fisk 
John Gerald 
Sam^ Googin 
Stephen Corser 
George Stone 
Benja. Sweatt 
Enoch Easman 
Timothy Easman 
Tlio^ Easman 
James Colby 
Moses Calf 
Eliphalet Little 
Benja Couch 
Joseph Little 
Sam' Mors-s 
Eliphalet Kilburn 
James Little 
Simeon Corser 
Nath' Kilburn 
John Corser 
Dani Colby 
Jon a Corser 
Jedidiah Kilburn 
Jedidiah Danford 
Nicholas Severance 
James Trussell 
"William Danford 
Benja Asten 
Moses Gerrish 
Noah Little 
Jona Knight 
Samuel Corser 
Benja Severance 
David Burbauk, 



71 



David Carter 
In the year 1777, there jirobahly were not more tlian ten legal 
voters west of Beaver-da:n. In thirteen years the number had in- 
creased to seventy-one — so rapid was the advancement. The cir- 



1791.] CIVIL HISTORY. 139 

culation of the petition, the unanimity with which it was signed, 
alarmed the citizens of the east section, who did not wish to see 
the town divided. A town-meeting was called, wdiich was held 
April 26, and James Flanders, Ebenezer Webster, and Luke 
Wilder were appointed a committee to select a site for a new 
meeting-house. These are the names of non-residents. Eben- 
ezer Webster was Judge Webster of Salisbury, father of Daniel 
and Ezekiel. 

It was voted that the frame be raised, and the pews sold durino- 
the year. 

At a meeting held Sept, 17th, it was voted " that the bigness 
of the frame be the same as that built by the town in the easterly 
part thereof." 

In the Webster town-house, as it was before the east and west 
porches were removed, we have the counterpart of the build- 
ing Avhich once stood near the burial-place in Boscawen. The 
committee reported at a meeting held Oct. 17th. It is not 
known what locality had been selected by them, but their report 
was rejected, and the following vote passed : 

THE SITE OF THE MEETIXG-HOUSE. 

[From the records.] 
'' it was put to vote if said Town would Accept the Place to Set the 
Xew Meeting House on which is Now under Cousideration on the East 
Side of Blackwater or as near the corner of Mr. Cogswills land ia a 
Hew Phice of Stubble Ground, voted in the affirmative. 

"Voted that a meeting house Frame be built at The Charge of the 
town.'- 

Mr. Samuel Jackman contracted to furnish the frame for ^94. 
So satisfactorily was the contract fulfilled, that the town voted 
him f 16.68 additional. 

RAISIXG THE MEETIXG-HOUSE. 

The raising of a meeting-house was a great event, and peo- 
ple came from the surrounding towns to aid in the work. They 
came early in the morning, with pike-poles and pitch-forks and 
iron bars, — pike-poles and pitch-forks to lift with when the " broad- 
side " should be well up in the air, and iron bars to hold against the 
foot of the posts to slide them into the mortises of the sills. On 



140 CIVIL HISTORY. [1791. 

sucli an occasion there was plenty of rum. Tlie first thing to be 
done was to take a drink, to give strength for the labor of the 
day. Then came the bringing together of the timbers. The 
sills were already laid and levelled. First the posts, then the 
girts and levers, and lastly the plates. 

It had been framed by the " scribe " rule — each piece being fitted 
to its place. The "square" rule was then unknown to country 
carpenters. The broadside was then pinned together. Then 
came the drinking of more rum, and the marshaling of the crowd, — 
the cool-headed men hold of the iron bars, the strong and experi- 
enced men in places of responsibility. When all were ready, the 
master workman, standing in rear where he could see all that was 
going on, commanded silence. We hear him say, — 

" Are you ready all ? " 

"Aye! aye!" 

" Take hold all ! " 

The men bend, and place their shoulders beneath the posts. A *" 
swarm take hold of the plate, another hold of the girts. The men 
at the iron bars spit on their hands : 

" Now, then ! " 

The frame rises. 

"' Heave away, my hearties ! " 

It is up to their shoulders. 

"Now she rises ! " 

Those by the plates seize their pike-poles and pitch-forks. 

At each corner and in the middle are " shores," with a crowd*of 
men and boys lifting on each. 

" Heigh ! my hearties ! " 

They lift with all their might, and grow rod in the face. The 
pike-poles bend, the handles of the pitch-forks are ready to snap. 

" Steady there ! " 

Now comes the tug of war at the foot of the posts. The iron- 
bar men are bracing with all their might. 

" Heave-ho ! " from the master. 

" Now she goes ! " from the men. 

Higher, still higher, up to the perpendicular. The tenons slide 
into the mortises in the sills, the " shore " men hold back on the 
poles, and the first broadside of the house of God stands in its ap- 
pointed place. The men wijie their brows, and take another drink 







Town House, Webster. 



1791.] CIVIL HISTORY. 141 

of rum. There is a congratulatory dram all around, in jDrepara- 
tion for the opposite broadside. That, too, rises. Then come 
the connecting girts and plates, and then the lifting of the beams 
for the galleries, and the high beams, the j:)utting up of sleepers, 
j)lanks and boards, rafters and purlins, and, last of all, the rido-e- 
pole. When the last is in its place, a crowd of men sit astride it, 
take full drams from the bottles of rum passed up to them, and 
then dash the bottles to the ground. This last is the dedicatory 
dram. 

Such the scene on that day. 

So complete were the arrangements, so excellent the workman- 
ship of Samuel Jackman, so numerous the men, so early at work in 
the morning were they, that the first broadside was up before 
nine o'clock, the last dram drank before noon, and the raisin^ 
■was over. 

Thomas Coffin, a boy of fourteen at the time, remembers the 
occasion as one of the great events of his boyhood. 

The amount of rum drank at the raising is seen from the se- 
lectmen's book : 

" Paid for rum to raise the New Meeting House £3 — 17 — 2 '' 

—nearly $20. 

FESTIVITIES. 

In the evening, after the frame of the meeting-house was raised, 
the young men repaired to the house now owned by Henry L. 
Dodge, where the girls, who had been lookers-on at the raising, 
were assembled. The town had provided a generous supply of 
food and liquors, and all hands after supper joined in a grand 
dance, which was kept up till past midnight. 

The pews were set up, and sold, and the proceeds applied to fin- 
ishing the house. 

" No 1 Benjamin Sweatt $28 

2 Eliphalet Kilburn 29 

3 Samuel Jackman 22 

4 Ezekiel Flandei's 16 

5 Henry Gerrisli 29 

6 eJohn Jarrokl 38 

7 Samuel Morse 35 

8 Joseph Gerrish 31 



142 CIVIL HISTORY. [1791. 



19 Friend Little 


$21 


10 Benjamin Stickney 


35 


11 Thomas Thorla 


44 


12 Joseph Cass 


61 


13 David Corser 


48 


14 Caleb Knight 


45 


15 Benja Little 


34 


16 Kathau Kilborn 


21 


17 Dr Cutting Noyes 


34 


18 Silas Call 


35 


19 John Corser 


36 


20 Benjamin Couch 


33t^ 


21 Jonathan Thurston 


24i 


22 Samuel Morse 


35 


23 Moses Coffin 


40 


24 Minister 




25 David Burbank 


43 


26 John Flanders 


34 


27 Jeremiah Gerrish 


33 


28 Benja Jackman 


38 


29 Nicholas Severance 


52 


30 Moses Calef 


43 


31 Joseph Atkinson 


34-^ 


32 Daniel Pillsbury 


m 


33 Enos Flanders 


37 


34 Enoch Little 


52 


Gallery. 




No 




1 Edmund Chad wick 


$30 


2 Jonathan Thurston 


11 


3 Benjamin Knowlton 


16* 


4 Enoch Gerrish & John Flandera 


22 


5 Peter Kimball 


17* 


6 Joshua Jackman 


11 


7 Benjamin Cass 


14 


8 David Call 


22 


9 Edmund Chadwick 


21 


10 James Corser 


21 


11 David Corser 


21 


12 Benjamin Austin 


20 


13 John Jarrold 


30J 


14 Benja Choate 


14 



1792.] CIVIL HISTORY. 143 

15 Samuel Jackman ^^ $12 

16 John Jerrold 13^ 

17 Friend Little is' 

18 John Manuel 18 

19 Nathaniel Thurston 14 

20 Daniel Shepard 11 

21 John Jarrold 30| 

22 Moses Call 24 

23 David Carter 24 " 

POST ROUTES. 

The legislature, at its session this year, established four post 
routes through the state. 

"The first begining at Concord thence to proceed through Weare, 
New Boston, Amherst, Wilton, Temple, Peterborough, Dublin, Marl- 
borough, Keen, Westmoreland, Walpole, Alstead, Acv/orth, Charles- 
town, Clareraont, Newport, Lenipster, Washington, Hillsborough, Hen- 
niker, Hopkinton to Concord. 

"The second from Concord to Boscawen, Salisbury, Anslover, New 
Chester, Pl^'mouth, Haverhill, Piermont, Orford, Lymf, Hanover, Leb- 
anon, Enfield, Canaan, Grafton, Alexandria, Salisbury to Concord." 

The other two connected the towns in the eastern part of 
the state with Concord and Portsmouth. Each post-rider was 
required to perform his route weekly, extraordinary circum- 
stances excepted. The riders on the first and second routes 
were paid twelve pounds each. They were required to reverse 
their alternate trips. The postage on single letters was fixed at 
six pence for forty miles, and four pence for any distance less than 
forty. Once a week, therefore, the citizens of Boscawen could 
send a letter to other sections of the state on the route of the 
rider ; but if directed to a town on one of the other routes, from 
six to twelve days would be the time required. 

1792. The town, at its annual meeting in March, voted to sell 
the parsonage lands, and put the money at interest. The sales 
amounted to $918. The money was loaned to the town, and the 
interest devoted to the support of a minister. 

The constitution of New Hampshire having been revised, it 
was submitted to the town at a special meeting, held August 27, 
and adopted by the citizens. 



144 CIVIL HISTORY, [1792. 

LIBEKALITY OF REV. MR. WOOD. 

Rev. Mr. Wood, liaving the advancement of the town in view, es- 
pecially in the matter of education, generously proffered the town 
the interest from the parsonage fund, amounting to $44, to be 
applied to the schools. The town returned a cordial vote of 
thanks. 

Mr. Wood's efforts to j)romote the advancement of the com- 
munity were also directed to the foundation of a library. He was 
seconded in his efforts by several gentlemen. The subscription 
paper is as below : 

THE FIRST LIBRARY. 

" We the subscribers hereby promise to pay tlie sums respectfully 
set against our names To Henry Gerrish Esqi- for llie purpose of pur- 
chasing a Library (for the use of said subscribers) in three months 
from this date as witness our hands. 
'•August the S"' 1791. 

" Nathaniel Green 12 s 

John Chandler 12 " 

Enoch Gerrish 12" 

Joseph Gerrish 12 '' 

Joseph Atkinson Jr 12 " 

Jeremiah Gerrish 12 " 

Joseph Lunt 12" 

George Jackraan 12" 

Samuel Fowler 12" 

Isaac Chandler 12" 

Joseph Clough 12" 

Theodore Atkinson 12" 

S -ml Gerrish 12" 

David Peterson Jr 12 " 

Paul Clark 12 " 

David Corser 12 " 

Moses Coffin 12 " 

It will be interesting to know what class of literature was se- 
lected by the men of the time ; and the catalogue, as published 
twenty years later, we give in full, for it was this library which 
Daniel Webster devoured while studying with Rev. Mr. Wood. 

" A catalogue of books in the Boscawen Social Library, alphabetically 
arranged under the following heads, Theological, Historical, and 
Miscellaneous. By a vote of the Proprietors, Oct. 7, 1811. Concord: 
Printed by George Hough. 1811. 



•^^^-•J CIVIL HISTORY. 

BOSCAWEN SOCIAL LIBRARY. 

THEOLOGICAL. 

" Adams' View of Religions 
American Preacher, 4 vols. 
Baxter's Call to the Uncouverted 
Bethkol 

Benevolence and Misery reconciled 
Boston's Fourfold State 
Communicant's Companion 
Edwards against Chauncy 

■ on Redemption 

on Religious Affections 

Evidences of the Christian Religion 
Flavel's Husbandry Spiritualized" 

■ Navigation ditto 

Fuller's Letters 

Gospel Sonnets 

Hervey's Meditations 

Henry on Prayer 

Hopkins' System, 2 vols. 

Holy War, (Bunyan's) 

Knox's Essays, 2 vols. 

Law's Serious Call 

Lowth on Isaiah 

Mendham Evidences 

Mason on Self-Knowledge 

Neckar on Religion 

Newton on the Prophecies, 2 vols. 

Owen on Sin 

Pilgrim's Progress, (Bunyan's) 

Prayer Book 

Remarks on Clapp 

Rise and Progress (Doddridge's) 

Rutherford's Letters 

Sherlock on Death 

Smith on the Prophecies 

Sermons, collected 

Blair's, 2 vols. 

Davies', 2 vols. 

Edwards' 



145 



10 



— Morse's 

— Parsons', 2 vols. 



146 CIVIL HISTORY, [1792. 

Sermons, Sauriu's 

Whitefleld's 

Fordyce's, to Young Men 

. . to Young women 

■ Strong's 

• Village, 3 vols. 

Spaulding's Lectures 

Token for Mourners 

Watts' Glory of Christ 

Worcester on Future Punishment 

West's Moral Agency 

Wilberforce's View of Religion 

Young's Night Thoughts. 65. 

HISTORICAL. 

Adams' Modern Voyages 
Beauties of History, 2 vols. 
Belknap's New-IIampshire, 3 vols. 
Carver's Universal Traveller 
Carver's Travels in North America 
Conquest of Canaan 
Cook's Voyages, 4 vols. 
Gordon's American War, 3 vols. 
Guthrie's Geography 
History of England 

• Josephus, 6 vols. 

Irwin's Travels 
Life of Christ 

Brainard 

Edwards 

Life of Franklin 

Col. Gardner 

Joseph 

Washington, 5 vols. 

Baron Trenck 

Modern Antichrist 
Morse's Geography, 2 vols. 
New England Farmer 
Proofs of a Conspiracy 
Ramsay's Amer. Revolution, 2 vola. 
Eollin's Ancient History, 10 vols. 
Residence in France 
Robertson's America, 4 vols. 



1792.] CIVIL HISTORY. 147 

Universal History, 4 Vols. 

Woll's History of the Martyrs, 2 vols. —GO. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Arabian Night's Entertainment, 3 vols. 

Beccaria on Crimes 

Blair's Morals 

Cato's Letters 

Controversial Letters 

Clerk's Magazine 

Cowper's Poems 

Cowper's Task 

Coquette 

Death of Abel 

Dictionary of Arts & Sciences, 4 vols. 

Domestic JMedicine (Buchan's) 

Don Quixot, 4 vols. 

Economy of Human Life 

Emma Corbett, 2 vols. 

Esop's Fables 

Family Instructor 
Female American 

Ferguson's Astronomy 
Fool of Quality, 5 vols. 
Foresters 

Goldsmith's Essays 

Gospel Tragedy 

Laws of New Hampshire 

Letters on Courtship 

Lyric Poems 

Moral Repository 

Moral and Religious ditto 

Murray's Reader 

Paradise Lost (Milton's) 

Regained 

Pilgrim Good-Intent 
Polite Preceptor 
Pope's Works, 6 vols. 
Religious Tradesman 
Romance of the Forest 
Salem Witchcraft 
Seneca's Morals 



148 CIVIL HISTORY. [1794. 

Spectator, 8 vols. 
Thompson's Seasons 
Vicar of wakefield 
Watts on the Mind 

Logic 

Younff Gentleman's Instructor —72 



The whole number of volumes 203 

The present number of Proprietors 71 

The Society was founded February 7, 1792. 
And was incorporated November 30, 1797." 
1793. The following taverners were liscensed to sell spirituous 
liquors during the year, showing that the public were accommo- 
dated with at least four hotels : 

Simeon Atkinson and Col. Henry Gerrish on Fish street, Capt. 
Thomas Choat on High street, and Winthrop Carter, in the house 
now occupied by Nathaniel Webster, on the Plain. 
Timothy Dix, a store-keeper, was also licensed. 
The annual town-meeting was held for the first time at the 
w^est meeting-house. 

FROM THE SELECTMEX'S BOOKS. 

" paid Joseph Little for a School House on Corser Hill 7—16— 
paid W™ Danford for a school Dame Bashan 1— 0— 3 " 

This is the first mention of Bashan — a locality containing at 
the time Benj. Severance, Wm. Danford, Moses Gerrish, and per- 
haps two or three other families. 

FIRST STORE IN WEB.STER. 

The first store ever kept in what is now the town of Webster 
was opened during the year, by Samuel Gookin, in a house that 
stood on the site now occupied by the residence of George Little, 
Esq., on Corser hill. 

BUILDING OF SCHOOL-HOUSES. 

1794. The inhabitants of Boscawen manifested a determina- 
tion to establish their schools on a permanent basis. Up to this 
time there were probably not more than four school-houses in the 



1795.] CIVIL HISTORY. 149 

town, and an energetic committee was appointed, consisting of 
Henry Gerrisli, Xatlianiel Green, David Corser, Thomas Thorla, 
Silas Call, and Capt. Peter Kimball, who, with the selectmen, 
were to divide the town into as many districts as they might 
judge were necessary ; that each district have the liberty of locat- 
ing its school-house, which should be built at the expense of the 
town ; that such houses as were already built should be appraised, 
and allowance made accordingly. The committee established 
eight districts. 

THE GRKAT FROST. 

The spring of 1794 was very forward, but on the 17th of May 
occiirred what was called the " great frost " throughout the coun- 
try, which destro3"ed the grain crop for the year ; — but, as reported 
by Mr. Price, it also destroyed the canker-worms, which had been 
destructive to vegetation. 

TROUBLE WITH EXGLAXD. 

Nov. 10. The town, in response to a call from the general gov- 
ernment, appointed a committee "to devise ways & means for 
procuring the soldiers called for." 

The laAvlessness of England, in committing depredations upon 
American commerce while at war with France, was the occasion 
for this action in preparing for a war with the mother countr}^ It 
was voted to pay soldiers eight dollars per month, including the 
pay from the federal government, to provide them with a suitable 
outfit of clothing, and a good blanket. No soldiers, however, were 
called for. 

An aqueduct — probably the first in town — was laid during the 
year, conveying water from the house-lot laid out to the right of 
the houses of Samuel Sweatt and Henry Kingsbury, to the houses 
of Timothy Dix, Daniel Carter, Samuel Morrill, and Joseph Ger- 
risli. The water was conveyed in logs. 

1795. The town voted to build a new pound, near Capt. Peter 
Kimball's, on Water street. It was built of stone, and is still in 
existence. 

IXCREASE OF TAVERNS. 

At this period, there was a stream of emigration to the north- 
ern section of the state, and to Vermont. On the other hand, the 



150 CIVIL HISTORY. [1796. 

markets were on the seaboard, and the whole country seemed to 
be in motion, — settlers going north, and farmers Avho had made a 
start in the world going south. Numerous taverns were estab- 
lished. In the section of the town west of Beaver-dam brook, 
there were three — one kept by Benjamin Couch, another by 
James Little, on Battle street, — the latter in the house now oc- 
cupied by George Sanborn, — and one kept by Jonathan Corser, 
in the house now occupied by Franklin Shepherd. 

The inventory of the town for the year was made out for the 
first time in federal currency. The selectmen's accounts, how- 
ever, for this and the succeeding year, were in pounds, shillings, 
and pence. From 1797 the old currency disappears from the rec- 
ords. 

PEOPRIETOKS' MEETING. 

1796. The proprietors of the town were called together at the 
instance of Col. Henry Gerrish, who was appointed their agent 
to petition the General Court of Massachusetts for a township of 
land. Tlie ground of the petition was the fact that the legisla- 
ture of Massachusetts had already made grants of land to towns 
which, on the establishing of the line betAveen Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire, were assigned to New Hampshire, although they 
desired to remain with Massachusetts. Col. Gerrish undertook 
the agency at his own expense, he to have one half of the territory 
granted if his mission was successful. He spent much time and 
money, and apparently made out a strong case, but did not suc- 
ceed in obtaining a grant. 

THE TRANSITION PERIOD. 

The period from 1795 to 1800 was characterized by lawlessness 
throughout the country. It was a transition period. The coun- 
try was in an unsettled state. The success of the French Revolu- 
tion, — of license over liberty ; the sj)read of the infidelity of the 
times ; the circulation of Paine's " Age of Reason,'' and the writ- 
ings of Voltaire ; the political status of the country ; the war spirit 
which had been fanned almost to a flame, and which had been 
only partially allayed by Jay's treaty ; the revolt against the the- 
ological dogmas of the time, — all combined to make it a turbulent 
period. Boscawen was not exempt from the general disturbance. 



179G.] CIVIL HISTORY. 151 

There were frequent breaches of the public peace by a band of 
confederates ; private as well as public property was destroyed, wan- 
tonly, and with malice ; horses were disabled ; bee-benches rifled ; 
apple-trees girdled ; wagons, carts, and farming implements dam- 
aged. Some of the perpetrators were apprehended, and brought 
before the courts. During the Revolutionary War, there had been 
a number of individuals who bad manifested no sympathy with 
the cause of liberty, and who were regarded as tories. Though no 
arrests had been made in town, they had been closely watched by 
the patriotic citizens, and had been under social restraints. 
Later, they had opposed the adoption of the federal constitution ; 
and now a mistake on the part of the selectmen, for the year 1795, 
had enabled them to enlist public opinion against the established 
order of things. 

In 1794, the selectmen of the town received no precept for a 
county tax prior to the making out of the other taxes, and no tax 
was laid ; but before the expiration of the year the precept was 
received, and the selectmen had no alternative except to advance 
the money on their own account. Anticipating the same state of 
affairs the following year (1795), Capt. Joseph Gerrish, Enoch Lit- 
tle, and George Jackman, Esq., levied the usual tax in advance of 
the receipt of a requisition, which never came. The result was, 
that several discontented spirits refused to pay the tax, or, having 
paid it, sued for recovery. 
Those suing were, — 

" tax sued for 
Enoch Eastman .14 cts 

Asa Conner .28 

Samuel Roby .71 

Timothy Eastman 1.38 

John Gerold 1.2G 

Philip Barnard .53 

David Carter 1.22 

James Little • 1.71 

Eliphalet Little .99 

Moses Jackman .31 

Ephraim Noyes .35 

Pearson Eastman .28 

Stephen Corser .51 

Jonathan Corser 2.10 



152 CIVIL HISTORY. [1797. 

Benjamin Cass .91 

Tristam Barnard .71 

Benj Rolfe 2.57 

Silas Rolfe .94 
Silas Call 
Samuel Gookin " 

The selectmen paid the tax from their own purses. The politi- 
cal antagonism was so intense, that all sense of justice and equity 
seemed to he stifled. No reimhursement was ever made. It is 
the one solitary instance in the history of the town where a great 
injustice ,was suffered to go unrectified. 

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AXD STATE. 

1797. The proprietors of Boscawen, at the outset, had respected 
the conscientious scruples of one of their number — Samuel Fowler — 
in regard to supporting the minister. The principle adhered to 
by him had taken firm hold of the community, and many men 
saw that it was unjust to comj^el a man to support a minister 
whose theological teachings he did not accept. The time Avas ap- 
proaching for a new order of things. After the death of Mr. 
Fowler, people without exception paid their taxes for the sup- 
port of a minister ; but during this year Mr. Silas Call entered 
his protest. 

[From the Records.] 

*' This may certify that I am determined not to pay the Rev. Samuel 
Wood for preaching after this date for I cannot join him in his profes- 
sion sentiments or profession — therefore you are requested to record 
my protest against the same. 

"May 22'! 1797 Silas Call." 

The protest of Mr. Call was an ex2:)ression of a rapidly growing 
feeling that the time had come for a separation of church and 
state. Other citizens manifested their opposition to the existing 
order of things in disorderly ways. There were those who utterly 
disregarded all religion, and who showed their dislike by break- 
ing the windows in the new meeting-house (in Webster), by 
nailing up the pulpit door, the doors of the pews, and in the de- 
filement of the pulpit and pews, especially those belonging to cit- 
izens active in town and society affairs. The houses being in part 



1798.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 153 



the property of tlie town, action was at once taken. "Warrants were 
issued for the arrest of tln-ee or four lawless individuals, who were 
put under bonds to keep the peace. 

BUKiSriNG OF THE EAST MEETING-HOUSE. 

1798. On the night of ^February 22d, the East meeting-house 
was burned by an incendiary. At the annual meeting, in March^ 
the town appointed Col. Henry Gerrish, Nathaniel Green, Esq. 
and John Chandler " to prosecute all such persons who have or 
shall commit any trespass on either of the public houses or high- 
ways or done any other public damage." 

The real incendiary was probably a non-resident. That there 
were citizens who were accessories to the crime is altogether prob- 
able ; but the chain of circumstantial evidence was not strong 
enough to warrant an arrest. 

Measures were taken to erect another building, on another site. 
A committee, composed of citizens from adjoining towns, reported 
in favor of a site on the Woodbury plain, a half mile east of the 
former building. The town did not choose to locate it there. 
Several other localities were selected, and rejected in turn. Ere 
long, it became manifest that a majority of the citizens would not 
vote to build a house of worship. 

A proposition to allow six or more persons to erect a meeting- 
house at their own expense, and to accept the same as a town- 
house, was voted down. Further action was postponed. 

It was next voted that the selectmen be instructed to abate the 
ministerial tax of any person who requested it, " which in their 
judgment all things considered shall appear to them best to be 
done." 

BURNING OF WATER STREET SCHOOL-HOUSE. 

The school-house on Water street was destroyed by fire on the 
8th of April. It was an incendiary act. 

There had been some disaffection over its location ; but the 
burning of the edifice was regarded as an outbreak against law 
and order, which must be stopped. There was a sudden reaction 
of public sentiment. The citizens manifested their disapproba- 
tion so unmistakably, that some of the restless spirits were com- 
pelled to leave town to escape arrest, while others were put on 



154 CIVIL HISTORY. [1798. 

tlieir good beliavior by the action of the town in securing indem- 
nity by civil process. 

During this troublesome period, the malice of those regardless 
of law was directed, seemingly without reason, against particular 
individuals in the communit3^ Those who followed the even 
tenor of their ways, as well as those who were prominent in 
directing public affairs, suffered at the hands of the lawless. 

Mr. David Corser, who lived on Corser hill, in the house now 
occupied by Mr. Tilton, was especially annoyed. His cattle were 
mutilated, and his house fired into at night, the bullet lodging in 
the roof. Mr. Corser invoked the protection of the law, and sev- 
eral parties were arraigned. 

A deposition before the court is given, as illustrative of the 
spirit of lawlessness prevalent at that time : 

" I John Corser of lawful age testifieth & saith that some time the 
fore part of the last winter past, I was in David Corser's yard & saw 
his turkeys as he called them with their toes cut off a bleeding on the 
snow & he told me somebody had cut them off." 

LAST EFFORTS TO OBTAIN A MEETING-HOUSE. 

Once more, those who wanted a meeting-house proposed Wood- 
bur}^ plain as a site, which was again rejected. The proposition 
was made to build on the old spot. The result was a tie vote, — 
70 in favor, and TO against. Then the advocates for a new house 
proposed to have it erected in the centre of the town, which was 
rejected by a decisive majority. 

Another proposition was made, '^ that one half of the meetings 
for public worship should be on the jilain on King street at such 
a place as they [the selectmen] shall provide till a new meeting 
house be built." 

At this juncture, the meeting-going citizens of the town wisely 
decided to make no further efforts to secure the erection of an edi- 
fice by the town ; and those living in the easterly section united 
in building a meeting-house at the head of King street — the 
original of the present edifice. 

The time had come for a new order of things. By the adop- 
tion of the federal constitution, all such political union as had ex- 
isted from the first settlement of the country, between church and 
state, was virtually abrogated. The non-recognition of religion as 



1798.] CIVIL HISTORY, 155 

having aught to do with the state, had hecome an unwritten Law. 
The state laws relating to parishes were not modified till a subse- 
quent j^eriod : but in this year (1797) there was a virtual sever- 
ance of church and state in Boscawen. 

The school-house difficulty, on Water street, was settled by the 
people of the district. They proposed the erection of two houses, — 
one to accommodate the north end, and the other the south end, — 
the school to be taught alternately in each house. The north 
school-house was erected where it now stands ; the south house 
stood where the first school-house in town, probably, was erected — 
on the west side of Water street, north of Mr. Bradley Atkinson's. 
The site may still be recognized. The building was subsequently 
purchased by Moses Coffin, and removed to his farm, where it was 
occupied as a cooper's shop, and afterwards as a blacksmith's shop. 
It was demolished in 1874. 

PRICES OF rilODUCE AND LABOR. 

The prices of farm produce and labor will be seen by the follow- 
ing extracts from the account-book of Dea. Enoch Little, who was 
selectman in 1795-96 : 

"John Jackman joiner to Enoch Little 1790. Dr 

£. S. D. 
Nov 10* To 1 bushel wheat 0— 8— 

To a bushel rye 5 — 4 

Dec G"> To one quarter 1 — 4 — 
To butter & tub 37 lbs 30 which I expect is 

butter 1 — 5 — 
1797. 

Apr 28"i To 150 lbs pork & carrying it to you 3 — 6 — 

May 18'h To 6 lbs butter at 9 pence 0— 4— 6 

30 To 33 lbs veal at 3^ pence 9— 7 

To 2 casks of lime 3— 0— 

To 46 lbs mutton at 2 pence 7 — 8 

Feb 15"' For three days work self & 2 hands 1 — 8 — 6 

For horse 2 days 8 — 

• To a four feet table 1—10— 

To a clock 16—10— 

To a chest with one drawer 1 — 5 — " 

In another account we find the following prices : 

" To 6 lbs lard at 8 p 0—4—0 

To 8 " flax at 11" 0— 7— 



156 CIVIL HISTORY. [1798. 

To 2 bush potatoes 0— -1— 

To i " beans 0— 3— 

To i yd cotton & linen cloth 0— 1— 2 

To 19 lbs cheese at 5p 0— 7— 6 

To 12 " soap grease — 6 — 

To 2k galls molasses 0—12— 

To 18f good cheese at 10 cents SI, SB 
To carrying 3 bblsof pork to Newbury S3,75 " 

In the account with Moses Coffin, tailor, we have the following 
prices : 

" To making a coat & cutting a waistcoat & breeches 0,87 
To making surtout waistcoat & breeches & cutting 2 75 

To making a jacket & trousers for Abraham 1,25 

To calico for a gown 4,17 " 

At this time, and for many years later, enrrency was reckoned 
in pounds, shillings, and pence. The silver money in circulation 
was either English or Spanish coinage. Very little federal cur- 
rency was in use. The foreign coinage held its place for the first 
forty years of the jiresent century, and though the keeping of ac- 
counts in pounds and shillings began to give place to dollars and 
cents in speech, the old currency still held its own. Merchants 
were accustomed to mark the price of the articles in British cur- 
rency. Mr. Hezekiah Fellows, trader on Corser hill, never aban- 
doned the practice, hut marked all his goods in pounds, shillings, 
and pence, to the day of his death. 

One of the incidents of the period was the action of two men, 
who, having committed a trespass, came voluntarily before a jus- 
tice of the peace, and were fined. 

" January the S"! A. D. 1800. 

" Then Humphrey Carter & Thomas Thoria both of Boscawen in the 
county of Hillsborough state of New Hampshire personally came before 
me Nath' Green Esqr one of the Justices of Peace for said county & 
complained of themselves for being guilty of a breach of the peace in 
taking, stealing & destroying one bee hive with a quantity of honey in 
the night time the property of Joseph Gerrish E'^qr at said Bfoscawen 
on or about the first day of Sept 1790, it is considered by me the said 
justice after hearing the above confession that the said Carter & Thoria 
pay a fine of one dollar each for the use of the state of New Hampshire 
for being guilty of a breach of the peace in so doing, which fine is paid 
to me accordingly. 

" Nath' Green jus Peace." 







'^^t9yiec/n 



1800.] 



OHAPTEE X. 

THE FIRST DECADE OF THE CENTURY. 

^yHE citizens residing at the east end of the town, and who 
^^ associated themselves together for the erection of a meeting- 
house, entered upon the work with zeal. The building was begun 
in 1799, and completed in 1800. The erection of this edifice by 
voluntary subscription brought about a marked change in the busi- 
ness transacted at the annual and special meetings of the town. 
One bone of contention was buried forever. There would be no 
more discussions of the vexed question of meeting-houses. From 
this time on the business related chiefly to the election of neces- 
sary officers, the laying out of roads, and the appointment of com- 
mittees on matters which the selectmen could not well attend to. 
The civil transactions, from 1800 onward, may be noticed by decades. 

The determination of a majority of the inhabitants to have little 
or nothing more to do with meeting-houses is seen in the vote 
given Sept. 16, 1799, when the town voted "^not to accept the 
proposition of the new society to pay in part for the building of 
the frame." 

The society accepted the situation, and went on with the con- 
struction of the house. 

MEETING-HOUSE OJiT THE PLAIN. 

The building stood broadside to the road, with a tower, steeple, 
and spire surmounting the porch at the northern end. The spire 
was surmounted by a wooden weather-cock. The country joiner 
who fashioned it never having studied the rules of art, the cock 
was not regarded as a fitting adornment to the edifice. After the 
completion of the structure, it was resolved to have it removed, 



158 CIVIL HISTORY. [1800. 

and a gilded vane placed upon the spire. Mr. William Jackman, 
who was an athlete in climbing, volunteered to ascend the lightning- 
rod from the belfry, and make the desired change. A great crowd 
assembled to witness the feat. Mr. Jackman ascended the taper- 
ing spire without difficulty, seated himself upon the golden ball, 
removed the cock, lowered it to the ground, drew up the vane and 
fixed it in its place, and then drew up a bottle of rum, took a 
dram, and threw the empty bottle to the ground, which, to the 
wonder and amazement of the crowd, did not break ! The crowd 
manifested their appreciation of Mr. Jackman's exploit by fre- 
quent and hearty cheers. 

The cock, though degraded from its high and dignified perch, 
had a longer lease of service than the vane. That disappeared in 
1839, when the house was remodelled, while the cock has watched 
the changes of the wind, daily and nightlj^, through all these 
years, as it now does, from the sign-post of S. A. Ambrose's tav- 
ern. 

There was a door at the front opening to the broad aisle, and a 
porch at the south end with stairs leading to the gallerj^ The 
interior of the building was after the style of the period, — square 
pews, seats that turned up, and which went down with a slam 
when the people took their seats after prayer, wall pews, floor 
pews, a deacon's seat and an elder's seat in front of the pulpit, a 
sounding-board, singers' seats in the front gallery, and common 
seats on the sides. 

A pleasant-toned bell was purchased, and placed in the belfry 
in December, 1799. It probably was the first bell in the Merri- 
mack valley north of Dunstable. A bell, weighing six hundred 
pounds, was obtained in Chester, in 1788. The bell in the iSTorth 
church, in Concord, was not obtained till 1802. The incident 
serves to show the public spirit of the new society, which, relieved 
from connection with the town, entered upon its work with great 
zeal. 

DEATH OF WASHINGTON. 

The news of Washington's death was received in Boscawen on 
the IGth of January, 1800, and the bell was tolled through the 
day by George Washington Webster. The mournful knell went 
out over hill and vale. People came riding to the meeting-house 



1800.] CIVIL HISTORY. 159 

to hear the news, and in obedience to the general request the select- 
men issued the following notice for a meeting of the town : 

" To the inhabitants of Boscawen : Agreeably to a request of a num- 
ber of the inhabitants you are desired to meet at the hDwer meeting 
house on Monday the 20"^ inst at 2 o'clock P M to signify whether it be 
your wish to have an oration or eulogium on the memory of General 
Geo Washington delivered at said house on a time that you may agree 
also to take such other measures as they may think proper to show their 
last respect to the Friend of their country. 

"Enoch Gerrish ) 
Benj Little ^ Selectmen, 
Timo Dix jr ) 
" Boscawen Jan 18. 1800" 

At the meeting held on the 20th, Col. Henry Gerrish, Maj. 
Enoch Gerrish, George Jackman, Nathaniel Green, and Timothy 
Dix, Jr., were appointed a committee to consult in regard to the 
proposed tribute of respect, and made the following report : 

" That the Rev Sam^ Wood be desired to prepare & deliver an Ora- 
tion on the 22'i of February, at eleven oclock in this house. That the 
Pulpit be shrouded with black, that the people be desired on the occa- 
sion agreeably to the Presidents Pi-oclamation to wear a black crape or 
ribbond upon the left arm, same above the elbow, & that the Females 
of the town be requested to wear black ribbonds — said mourning to be 
worn from the Lord's day next four week's inclusive & that the inhabi- 
tants be requested to form procession at half past ten oclock on said 
day at Mr Somersby Pearsons & that a committee be chosen to make such 
arrangements as shall be thought necessary on said day." 

Tliere was a large gathering of the people on tlie day appointed, 
and the arrangements of the committee were duly carried out. 

The oration of Mr. Wood took the form of a sermon, from the 
text, — "And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, 
the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who de- 
livered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger 
brother." — Judges 3 : 9. 

On the same day, a meeting was held at the West meeting- 
house, and a eulogy delivered "by Eev. Ariel Kendrick V. D. M." 

Diligent inquiry has been made in order to ascertain the mean- 
ing of the cabalistic affix appended to Rev. Mr. Kendrick's name 
in the printed address delivered on the occasion ; hut the few ven- 



IGO CIVIL HISTORY. [1800. 

erable men still living, who can remember "Washington's funeral, 
are ignorant as to their meaning. 

SMALL-POX HOSPITAL. 

The small-pox suddenly made its appearance at the west end. 
A town-meeting was called, and a committee of safety appointed. 
The selectmen were instructed to prosecute all who might spread 
the infection. The infected were removed to a pest-house, and 
libert}' was given to private individuals to establish a small-pox 
hospital. One was accordingly erected, in the pasture east of the 
road, on Water street, not far from the residence of Silas Call, 
now William Abbott's. 

At the annual meeting in March, liberty was given to all Avho 
might choose so to dp, who lived west of the spot where the old 
meeting-house stood, to pay their minister's tax in the west part of 
the town, and have jireaching there accordingly ; but the town 
refused to appoint a committee to see how much of the preaching 
should be at the east or how much at the west end. Mr. Wood 
had made a donation of $54 to the town for school purposes, for 
which he received a vote of thanks. The generous act made the 
town kindly disposed towards him personally, but did not turn 
the citizens from the purpose of dispensing with preaching at the 
town's expense. There was a steady increase of those who re- 
fused to pay a tax for the support of a minister. Suits were 
brought against them, which increased the discontent. 

SUXDAY TRAVELLING. 

The law against Sunday travelling was enforced at this date ; 

but the town was fortunate in having a justice of the peace who 

performed his duties in a quiet way — who preferred to write a 

friendly note rather than to issue a process of law. One Philip 

Colby, having travelled on Sunday, and having been complained 

of, was thus admonished : 

" Boseawen March 2i^^ 1800 

" S"" Mr Samuel Jackman one of the tything men of Boseawen has en- 
tered a complaint to me against you for travailing and Giving him a 
false answer on the Lord's day the twenty-third of this Instant and un- 
less you come Immediately and pay your fine and settle the matter you 
may expect to be Dealt with according to Law 

" from your friend 

"Mr Philip Colby. Henry Gerrish." 



1802. J CIVIL HISTORY. 161 



SEVERAN'CE OF THE LAST TIE BETWEEN" CHURCH AND STATE. 

1801. It was discovered that in a government of the people, 
under a constitution which protected all religions, yet recognized 
none, it was impossible to force men to pay taxes for minister or 
meeting-house. The question of annulling the contract with Mr. 
Wood and his dismissal was discussed, and a special town-meet- 
ing held in December to take some action. A committee was ap- 
pointed to wait on Mr. Wood, and see if he would unite with the 
town in calling a council. 

Feb. 1. A special meeting of the town was called, to hear the 
report of the committee of five who had waited on Mr. Wood, and 
who presented a brief and courteous communication from that 
gentleman, as given below : 

"As it appears to be the request of the town for iiie to join with 
them to disannul the civil agreement between us, if the town shall re- 
quest it & shall take necessary steps for the purpose I consent up- 
on reasonable terms which we may probably agree upon finally to dis- 
solve the contract. As the contract was made by us, the town proposing 
& I accepting, so I see no need of an ecclesiastial council to dissolve 
it. We may however take advice of some gentlemen from abroad as 
to the terms." 

The contract was therefore amicably dissolved, he being ex- 
empted from taxation during his relation to the church, and the 
town annually giving him one haK of the interest of the parsonage 
so long as he was a minister. 

On the other hand, it was stij^ulated that '' all who might con- 
tribute to his support should not be taxed elsewhere for preach- 
ing." 

The agreement was accepted — 67 to 64. 

From this time till 1804, the people living at the west end were 
without preaching, except such as was had at the expense of indi- 
viduals. 

1802. During this year, a religious society bearing the title of 
the " Universal Society " was formed. The members, however, 
were mostly residents of other towns. It was another form of re- 
volt against the long received theolog3^ Its members believed in 
the universal salvation of men. Two of its members — Mr. Tim- 
othy and Mr. Pearson Eastman — moving into Boscaweu from 

11 



162 CIVIL HISTORY. [1803. 

Salisbury, brouglit witli them certificates of membersliip, wliicli 
are on record. 

'* Salisbury April 16, 1802 
" To the Selectmen of Boscawen 
" Gentlemen : 

" This may certify that Mr Pearson Eastman is a member of the 
Universal Society formed in January last consisting of a compact of 
towns in this vicinity. 

" A Whittemore clerk." 

This was to exempt them from taxation for the support of the 
ministry, which question had been already settled by the volun- 
tary settlement of Mr. Wood as minister of the town ; but the 
record serves to show the wide-spread disaffection with the old 
order of things, and also dates the formation of the first Univer- 
salist society in this section of the state. 

VENDUING THE POOR. 

Up to this period there were few jjeople in town who could not 
support themselves ; but with the rapid increase of population 
came a corresponding increase of those who needed aid from the 
town. The few poor people of former days had been cared for by 
their friends, or by the selectmen, in a manner requiring no action 
in town-meeting ; but in this year a new departure was made. 

It was voted " to vendue off Wm. Evans to the lowest bidder, 
for his maintainance." 

The successful bidder was Levi Bean, and the price paid was 
eighty-three cents per week. 

This method of caring for the poor of the town continued till 
the purchase of the town almshouse. 

1803. The remaining half of the interest on parsonage bonds 
was granted to the West meeting-house, to be laid out under the 
direction of the selectmen. 

TURNPIKES. 

The rapid advancement of civilization northward to northern 
New Hampshire and Vermont, and the increasing amount of jDublic 
travel, called for better highways, and turnpike companies, were 
incorporated throughout the state. Among others were the First, 



1803.] CIVIL HISTORY. 163 

Second, Tliird, and Fourth New Hami^shire, the Portsmouth, 
Londonderry, Chester, Grafton, and Mayhew. 

The Fourth New Hampshire turnpike began at the Merrimack 
river, where the bridge from Fisherville crosses the Merrimack, 
and extended to Hanover, through Salisbury, Andover, Wihnot, 
Springfield, Enfield, and Lebanon. The corporation had a right 
to use existing roads, but must keep them in repair. No toll was 
charged to a townsman. The Boscawen toll-gate was located on 
the summit of the ridge east of the " GruK," at Clay hill, and ia 
still standing. 

EFFORT TO MAKE BOSCAWEN" THE CAPITAL OP THE STATE. 

The growth of the state, and the development of the northern 
section, indicated that sooner or later the capital would be moved 
from Exeter to some more central locality. The matter was 
strongly agitated during the year 1802-3. Pembroke, Concord, 
Boscawen, and quite likely other towns, took measures toward 
securing it. The citizens of Boscawen took hold of the subject 
zealousl}^, as the following document shows : 

"We the subscribers promise to pay the sums set against our names 
for the purpose of erecting a house for the Legislature of New Hamp- 
shire to be placed on Boscawen plain in the Senter as near as the 
ground will admitt of between Col Joseph Gerrish and Mr Somersby 
Pearson, by a committee that shall hereafter be appointed to compleat 
the said house provided the General Court of New Hampshire shall en- 
gage to hold their sessions in said Boscawen in seven or ten years as 
witness our hand 

"December the 26"^ 1803 

" Joseph Gerrish $100 

Isaac Chandler 75 

Caleb Putney 200 

Dennison Bowers " 100 

Nathi Green 100 

Nathan Carter 150 

Somersby Pearson 100 

Tho« Gillmore 50 

Joseph 11 Morrill 30 

Jeremiah Morrill 20 

John Gill 25 

Jon* Hutchinson 25 



164 CIVIL HISTORY. [1803. 

Simeon Danforth 5 

"W" G Emerson 10 

Enocti Gerrish jr 10 

Joshua Morse 10 

Joshua Carlton 10 

Timothy Dix 50 

Saml Peterson 5 

James Uran 10 

John S Abbott 20 

William Gill 50 

Benj Hills 20 

Saml Garven 50 

Joel French 50 

Winthrop Carter 25 

Humphrey Webster 25 

Tho' Carter 10 

George Perkins 10 

Charles Eastman " 10 

Joseph Atkinson 15 

Enoch Danford 10 

Henry Gerrish 50 

Silas Rolfe 10 

Benj Rolfe jr 20 

Moses Manuel 5 

Samuel Burbank 10 

Samuel Uran 3 

Josiah Burbank 3 

John Flanders jr . 4 

David Burbank 2 
" We, a part of the above Subscribers do hereby engage to pay the 
above svims annexed to our names in case the Gen' Court should ad- 
journ to this place for one session only. 

" Henry Gerrish Benj Rolfe jr 

Caleb Putney John Gill 

Joseph H Morrill Nathan Carter 

Jeremiah Morrill Joshua Carter." 
Benj Hills 

HOTELS, 

The niim'ber of hotels in Boscawen at this period is learned 
from the New Hampshire Eegister for 1803, which gives the pub- 
lic houses on the stage route from Concord to Haverhill. 



1804.] CIVIL HISTORY. 165 

First was Chandler's — the present " Penacook House." 

" Gerrish," two miles farther, kept by Col. Joseph Gerrish. The 
building was a large, long, two-storied edifice, afterwards occupied 
by Dr. Thomas Peach, and was burned. 

The next was Nathan Carter's, — the house now occupied by 
Mr. Caleb Hall, which has been wholly remodelled by him. 

Then came Bohonnon's, — probably the house now occupied by 
Nathaniel Webster. 

At the upper end of the plain was Pearson's hotel, in the house 
now kej)t as a public house by Samuel A. Ambrose. 

The route to Haverhill was up the valley of the Merrimack, 
and the nest tavern was " Atkinson's," and beyond it Col. Henry 
Gerrish's, one of the oldest hotels in the town, on the site now 
occupied by the county buildings. 

On the Foxxrth New Hampshire turnpike was Choate's tavern, 
the large two-storied house still standing. 

Among the votes passed by the town in 1804 were the follow- 
ing : 

" Voted to prosecute those persons who took away the Bridge near 
Joseph Gerrish's ou the fourth New Hampshire turnpike road." 

*' Voted Capt John Chandler, Col Joseph Gerrish, Daniel Carter 
Johu Flanders, Benjamin Little Esq be a committee to examine the 
road between Col Joseph Gerrish's & John Chandlers & say when it is 
as good as it was before the turnpike came on it." 

" Voted to give Saral Corser fifty dollars to make the hill near Col 
Joseph Gerrish's as good as it was before the turnpike came on it." 

From the above votes, it may be inferred that the turnpike 
company did not keep the highway in very good repair, 

CANTERBURY BRIDGE. 

1804. In 1804 the Canterbury toll-bridge was constructed. 
The event was the occasion of much rejoicing. There was a 
gathering at the meeting-house on the plain ; addresses by Rev. 
Mr. Wood, and Rev. William Patrick, minister of Canterbury ; 
a procession from the meeting-house, across the bridge, to the 
residence of Enoch Gerrish (now Mr. Chandler's), on the Can- 
terbury side ; a dinner, and speeches, with liquors in abundant 
supply. 



166 CIVIL HISTORY. [1805. 

RATES OF TOLL FOK CANTERBURY BRIDGE 1805. 

" Foot Passenger 1 Cents 

Horse and Rider 6|^ 

Horse & Chaise Chair Or Sulkey 12J 

Sleigh With One horse 6|- 

Sleigh With Two horse 10 

Coach Chariot Phaeton Or Other 4 Wheel 

Carriages 20 

Curricle 12J 
Cart Or Other Carriage of Burthen With Two 

Beasts 12^ 

Additional Beasts Each J 

Horses JS'eat Cattle d"^ 2 

Sheep & Swine Each ^ 
To Each Team 1 Person To pass As A Driver 

Free Each Waggon, and horse 9 " 

The town permitted the sale of space for four pews on the 
floor of the West meeting-house, and the money was expended on 
the edifice. 

Although the town had refused to have any part in the con- 
struction of the East meeting-house, and had no claim whatever 
to its use, the society generously threw open its doors, and gave 
the town the privilege of holding its meetings in the edifice, nor 
was there any opposition to the use of the building from those 
who had manifested hostility to the old order of things. 

WESTERLY RELIGIOUS SOCIETY. 

As it was decided that the town would take no action towards 
settling a minister at the west end, the citizens west of Beaver- 
dam, and some east of it, united in the formation of the Westerly 
Religious Societj^ (which see). Seventy-one citizens joined in the 
association. Rev. Ebenezer Price (see Biog.), having preached 
to their acceptance a, few Sabbaths, was called to be their minis- 
ter, and a church was formed, under the title of " The Second Con- 
gregational Church in Boscawen." 

BRIDGE ACROSS THE CONTOOCOOK. 

For several years the question of rebuilding the bridge across 
the Contoocook had been before the town, but had been postponed 



1807.] CIVIL HISTORY. 167 

until the existing structure was deemed no longer safe. An effort 
was made to secure the rebuilding in another place, which in- 
volved the question of boundary between the towns of Boscawen 
and Concord. 

Committees from the two towns were appointed to take the 
question into consideration. The Concord committee consisted of 
Jonathan Wilkins, John Bradley, and Ebenezer Dustin ; the 
Boscawen committee, of Enoch Gerrish, John Chandler, and 
Nathaniel Green. They reported " that the old spot where the 
Bridge now stands shall be the place where a new Bridge shall 
be built & further report that the towns of Concord & Boscawen 
petition the General Court that the centre of the River Contoo- 
cook from the mouth be considered the line between said towns 
until it reaches the present line crossing said river between said 
towns." 

The report was accepted by the town of Boscawen. 

1806. Among the items on the selectmen's books is tlie follow- 
ing : 

" Paid Daniel Webster for repairing the School House 2,87 " 

The schoolhouse was the " Gulf," Mr. Webster being a resident 
of that district, — a boarder in the family of Joel French, in the 
house now occupied by James GilL 

1807. From the selectmen's books ; 

" Paid Daniel Webster for paying School master 2,00." 

In town-meeting : 

" Voted that Daniel Webster S:Lt Benjamin Jackman be a commit- 
tee to ascertain the damage on account of the road going on Timothy 
Dix' land near Esqr Jackman's barn." 

This barn was located on Queen street, west of the present resi- 
dence of Prof. John Jackman. 

SELECT SCHOOL. 

A young ladies' school, not for the study of the languages, 
science, history, mathematics, and geography, but for instruction 
in needlework, was advertised in the Concord Gazette. 

" YOUXG LADIE'S school. 

" A school for the instruction of young Ladies in needle work, draw- 
ing & embroidery, will be opened in Boscawen on the 11"* day of May 



168 CIVIL HISTORY. [1809. 

next. A preceptress having the proper qualifications, who will pay 
particular attention to the morals & manners of her scholars, is pro- 
vided to take charge of the school. 

" Terms of tuition three dollars per quarter — board from one dollar 
to one dollar and twenty-five cents per week. 

" T Dix jun 

" for the proprietors. 
"Boscawen 10"^ April 1807." 

1808. Education throughout the state "was at a low ebb. The 
school laws were very imperfect. In many towns, little had been 
done to advance the interests of education. 

A commendable public spirit had already been awakened upon 
the subject in Boscawen, through the influence of the two minis- 
ters — Rev. Mr. Wood and Rev. "Mr. Price — and other citizens, 
ever ready to advance the interests of the town. Though far in 
advance of many other towns, the citizens generally hailed with 
satisfaction the school law, passed by the legislature for the better 
regulation of schools, and especially the establishing of a superin- 
tending committee. 

DISTURBAIS^CE IX TOWN-MEETIXG. 

1809. The bitterness against religion which had manifested it- 
self in bygone years, did not wholly die out with the separation of 
church and state. There were still some disaffected persons who 
determined to have no prayers in town-meeting. 

Mr. John Flanders, though he owned a pew in the West meet- 
ing-house, was decided in his opposition to a continuance of the 
custom. At the annual town-meeting in 1809, while Rev. Mr. 
Price was offering prayer, Mr. Flanders proceeded to renail the 
hinges upon his pew door in the gallery, having carried hammer 
and nails for that purpose. The ringing blows of the hammer 
disturbed the proceedings, and the moderator. Col. Joseph Gerrish, 
calling upon several citizens to serve as constables, the disturber of 
order soon found himself being dragged down the stairs, which 
so changed his opinions that, upon the next day, Mr. Flanders 
made the following acknowledgment to the town, which was 
placed upon the records : 

"March 15, 1809 

'' I hereby acknowledge that my conduct yesterday in disturbing the 



1809.] CIVIL HISTORY. 169 

meeting in the time of prayer is liiglily unbecoming, & for wliich I am 
sincerely sorry & will never again disturb the harmony of any future 
meeting in the like manner on the like occasion. 

" John Flanders." 

The town had been insulted ; its dignity was assailed ; and the 
town-clerk was directed to notify certain persons, who had aided 
and abetted Mr. Flanders, that reparation must be made. 

" This is to give notice to those persons who aided & assisted Lt 
Flanders at the time he made his disturbance at our last annual meet- 
ing that unless they come forward & give satisfaction to the Town afc 
the above meetiiag they will be dealt with agreeably to the vote of 
the town. 

" Joel French Town clerk." 

The following vote was passed : 

" Voted that Geo T Flanders & others before the sitting of the next 
court shall give to the selectmen in writing an acknowledgement which 
shall be satisfactory to them for their misconduct in the last meeting, 
or otherwise the selectmen to commence a prosecution against them 
accordeing to vote of said town." 

The offenders, finding that they stood alone — that there was 
a universal condemnation of their conduct — came before the town, 
and asked the pardon of their fellow-citizens, which was freely 
given. 

" Voted to forgive Thomas Eastman, Thomas Carter & Jonathan 
Eastman for aiding & assisting Lt J Flanders in his making a dis- 
turbance in the last town meeting." 

It was the last open outbreak against order ; and from that 
time to the present there has been no attempt to disturb the pub- 
lic peace. So strong now was public sentiment for the mainte- 
nance of order, that many of those who had been disorderly found 
it for their advantage to leave the town, 

NEW SCHOOL LAW. 

A committee was appointed in accordance with the provi- 
sions of the new school law, to establish anew the school districts. 
At a meeting, held September 10, the town acted upon the report 
of the committee, ordering several new school-houses to be built at 
the town's expense. 



170 CIVIL HISTORY, [1809. 

The first meeting of the siTporintending school committee, un- 
der the new law, was held Ma}^ 11, at the house of Rev. Mr. 
Wood. It was composed of Mr. Wood, Mr. Price, and the select- 
men, — Stephen Gerrish, Joseph H. Morrill, and Peletiah Peaslee. 

The districts were reestablished, A'iz. : 
No. 1. King street. No. 8. Bashan. 

2. Water street — north. 9. Long pond. 

3. Corser hill. 10. Atkinson and Clay bill. 

4. High etreet. 11. Pleasant street. 

5. Fish street. 12. Sweat road. 

6. Little hill. 13. South Water street. 

7. White plain. 11. Union and Concord. 

MILITARY SPIRIT. 

The prospect of a war with Prance in 1789, and the news of 
Napoleon's victories, produced a military spirit which manifested 
itself in the formation of volunteer military uniformed companies. 
The first uniformed company in the 21st regiment was the cav- 
alry, or " troop " as it was then called. ( See Mil. Hist.) This 
was made up of soldiers from all the towns comprised in the 
regiment. Diligent inquiry has not enabled us to ascertain the 
date of the formation of the artillery, the first uniformed company 
in the town, but it probably was in 1808 or 1809. It was in exist- 
ence in 1809, as we learn from the selectmen's accounts for that 
year. The soldiers were victualled on muster days by the town. 

ITEMS FROM THE SELECTMEN'S BOOKS. 

" Paid Benjamin Kimball victualing artillery 3,.50 

Paid John Plummer for victualing troop 2,38 

Paid Samuel W Long for rum & powder 41 ,72 ' 

Paid Samuel Cliadwick for victualling Capt Ames' Company 2,52 

Paid iMoses Manuel for keeping Old Beedle 10,67 

Paid Enoch Call for his swearing off his money ,61 " 

WHIPPING-POSTS. 

Whipping was one of tlie punishments prescribed by law for 
minor offences. The public whipping-post stood near Gilmore's 
tavern (the house now occupied by Nathaniel Webster), a few 
rods north of the same. The only instance of a public whipping 
of an offender occurred in 1809. 



1809.] CIVIL HISTORY. 171 

Mr. Somersby Pearson, owner of the grist-mill on Mill brook, 
complained to Joseph Gerrish, justice of the peace, against Jacob 
Richardson, " that he hath reason to suspect & does suspect that 
the said Jacob of said Boscawen on tlie 24 Inst (Feb) & at divers 
other times before had entered his grist mill in said Boscawen & 
took & conveyed away from the same divers quantities of meal 
with intent to steal the same." 

A Avarrant was issued to Thomas Gerrish, constable, who ar- 
rested the said Jacob. 

" The Defendant being arraigned pleaded not guilty. Thereupon it 
is considered by me the said Justic that the said Defendant is guilty & 
that he receive on his naked back eight stripes with a cat of nine tails to 
morrow morning at eight o clock & the Defendant be committed till 
sentence be performed. 

" Joseph Gerrish 

'' Jus Peace." 

The sentence was executed the next morning, the culprit being 
tied to a small tree that stood near the meeting-house, south of 
the residence of Mr. S. A. Ambrose. 

That the citizens of Boscawen were kindly disposed toward all 
in misfortune is manifest from the following votes, passed in 
1809 • 

" Voted that George T Flanders' Poll tax be abated for the year be 
was lame by breaking his leg." 

'' Voted to give Abraham Adams his taxes for two years past in con- 
sequence of sickness." 



[1810. 



CHAPTEE XI. 

PROGRESS. 

fEAELY a quarter of a century had passed since the adop- 
tion of the federal constitution. What progress had 
been made in civilization ? To what plane had society ad- 
vanced ? 

People no longer lived in log cabins. Possibly here and there 
one might have been found ; but those rude habitations had given 
place to framed structures, — large, square, two-storied houses, 
with great chimneys, wide fireplaces, and huge ovens. The til- 
lage and jiasture lands have increased with the population. In 
June, the woodman's axe is heard through the day, felling trees ; 
in August, before the fall rains set in, the torch is applied to the 
felled forest growth, and dense clouds of smoke darken the skj. 
Then comes the clearing, — the work on the burnt ground, the 
gathering up of half burned brands, the rolling together of logs, 
the harrowing in of winter vye, the farmer and his boys covered 
with soot. The ashes are gathered up, and sold at the " potash." 
Then comes the harvest. 

" Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield, 

Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke; 
How jocund did they drive their teams afield! 
How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke." 

With the gathering of the corn come the huskings ; an invita- 
tion to all the neighbors, — men and women, boys and girls : all 
are invited. The huskings are in the evening, and when the 
corn is finished, then comes the suj^per, — hasty pudding, baked 
beans, apple and pumpkin pie ; mugs of cider, egg-nog, flip, and 







Breaking and Swingling. 



1810.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



173 



rum. In other localities, a liuskiiig not iinfrequently winds up 
with a dance ; but the people of Boscawen are staid and sober, 
and not much given to amusement. 

With winter comes the threshing of grain, and the sound of the 
flail is heard from morning till night. In the evening the farmer 
brings his corn from the garret, seats himself astride the bread- 
trough, and shells it by rasping the ears against the sharp edge 
of a jiod-auger, or the handle of the frying-pan. 

Later in the winter, in February and March, he breaks and 
swingles the flax. The flax-breaker — the instrument by which 
the wood}^ part of the plant is broken into " shives " — is a rude 
machine, composed of a series of 
wooden knives placed in the " break- 
er," which is lifted with one hand, 
and a handful of flax stalks placed 
beneath it, and crushed by repeated 
bumpings of the machine. The stalks 
thus crushed are " swingled " by a 
double-edged wooden sword. This 
process separates the " shives " from 
the fibre. The next process is 
" hatchelling, " or the drawing of 
the fibres through a " hatchel," and 

lastly through a " comb." Twenty 

pounds of swingled flax is accounted 

a day's work. 

With the opening of spring comes 

the plowing. The plow is still the 

same heav}', clumsy wooden and iron 

affair, made by the carpenter and 

blacksmith. Tristram Noyes is the 

plow-maker of Boscawen, residing 

on the turnpike. The mould-board 

is a curved piece of white oak, with 

bits of old saw-plate and ox-shoes 

nailed upon it. Sixteen oxen are 

required to draw it, with one man to ride the beam and keep it 

in the ground, and another with a "breaking up " hoe to dig up 

the " baulks " in the furrow. Three teamsters, one plowman, 




174 CIVIL HISTORY. [1810. 

and two assistants, make up the complement of men. Tlie plow 
is from twelve to fourteen feet in length. In a small field, such 
a team reaches almost the length of the furrow. 

The farmer uses a wooden shovel, shod with iron. His pitch- 
fork, made by the neighboring blacksmith, is of iron, clumsy, 
heavy, requiring his utmost strength to thrust it into the ha}^, 
and quite as much to withdraw it. His scythe is made from a bar 
of Kussia iron, edged with steel. The handle of the pitch-fork, 
and his scythe-snath, are of his own manufacture, and so are his 
ox-yokes and bows. His cart-wheels are tired with strips of iron, 
nailed upon the felloes. 

Wagons are just beginning to make their appearance. The 
bodies rest upon the axle. They are wholly destitute of springs. 
Leather thorough-braces are of a later date. The roads are rough ; 
the stones have not been removed ; and the noise made b}^ the 
wagons in rattling over them is called " home-spun thunder ! " 

The citizens are obliged to take circuitous routes in getting 
from one section of the town to another. The people of Bashan, 
wishing to reach the Plain, must go from Dingit corner to the 
lower end of Water street. Mr. Moses Gerrish, and other resi- 
dents of Bashan who attend the West meeting, must go by the 
way of Dingit corner and Pleasant street to " Mutton road," and 
over Corser hill. Mr. Gerrish must eat his Sunday morning 
breakfast by candle-light, in the winter, and start soon after 
sunrise to reach the meeting-house in season for service ; and the 
stars will be twinkling when he arrives home at night. Yet 
sickness alone keeps him from meeting. 

Although meeting-going is not universal, there are great con- 
gregations. The day for Sunday-schools has not yet arrived, and 
the mornings are spent in discussing the news. People come on 
horseback, the women riding on pillions behind their husbands, 
husband and wife each with a child in their arms, and perhaps a 
third child hanging on by the crupper. They dismount at a horse- 
block. In the winter, at noon, tlie people at the East end throng 
the kitchens and sitting-rooms of Dea. Isaac Pearson (S. A. 
Ambrose's house) and Joel Prench (James Gill's house). At 
the West end, they find bright fires blazing in the house of Paul 
Dodge, and at Samuel Morse's (William Pearson's). 

The women bring their foot-stones, and fill them with coals 



1810.] CIVIL HISTORY. 175 

from tlie fires in the sitting-room, eat their fried turnovers, dough- 
nuts, cheese, and gingerbread, while the men in the kitchens, after 
eating tlieir hmcheon, fill their pipes, and enjoy the luxury of " a 
smoke." The news, home and foreign, is discussed, and the points 
of theology in the sermon taken up. 

This is the period of Dr. Thomas Worcester's defection from 
the received theology. He is the Salisbury minister, an able 
preacher, who, with his brother, Noah Worcester, of Thornton, 
has embraced the Unitarian theology. 

In Dea. Enoch Little's (senior) journal, under date of Sept. 16, 
1810, is this note : " All to meeting. Mr Price whipt Mr Wor- 
cester." Possibly some other day-book kept in Salisbury may 
have had the record that Mr. Worcester " whipt " Mr. Price. 

The views adopted by Mr. Worcester being repugnant to some 
of the members of the Salisbury church, we see Nathaniel Sawyer 
and his wife riding down Battle street, to attend the preaching of 
Rev. Mr. Price. The theological sermon is discussed, not only 
around Mr. Dodge's fireplace, but in every household. 

Party spirit runs high, not only in theology, but in politics. 
The wars waged by Napoleon in Europe shake American society 
to its foundation. The course pursued by Great Britain, in 
searching American vessels for British seamen, produces irrita- 
tion. One party is ready to rush into war ; the other deprecates 
an appeal to arms. So bitter is the j^artisanship, that when the 
Fourth of July comes around, each political party has its celebra- 
tion, its own orator presenting its own political views. 

Under the new school law, the schools are somewhat systema- 
tized. A new impetus has been given to education, but the stud- 
ies are all primary. In the winter the houses are crowded with 
grown-up boys and girls, many of whom are still plodding in sim- 
ple reading, or bewildering their brains over "fractions." They 
have not attempted grammar. The boys wear shoes and buskins, 
or leggins. Their shirts are made of tow. Their clothes in winter 
are coarse cassimere, spun and woven by the women and girls, 
dyed in the dye-pot which stands in the chimney-corner, and the 
cover of which furnishes a seat for one of the small members of 
the family. The cloth is fulled at the fulling-mill, dressed by 
Dea. Isaac Pearson, cut by the tailoress, who goes from house to 
house for that purpose, carrying her pressing-board, goose, and 
big: shears. 



176 CIVIL HISTORY. [1810. 

Tlie people eat plain food, — beau porridge, hasty pudding, 
liulled corn and milk, Indian and rye bread, hominy, potatoes, 
beef and pork, and sometimes make a dinner of bread and cider. 
In the autumn they feast on pumpkin pies, and drink liop and 
spruce beer. 

The household furniture consists of table and chairs, and a 
great settle with a high back, which in the daytime is pushed 
to one side of the room, but which in the evening is wheeled 
in front of the fire. In one corner of the kitchen is the dress- 
er, with rows of pewter plates and platters, brightly scoured, 
standing on the shelves in rows, reflecting the flickering fire- 
light. The people eat their porridge with pewter spoons, and 
many families are in possession of moulds for the re-casting 
of the spoons when bent or broken. In the sink is a piggin 
and a keeler, — wooden vessels used for the dipping of water 
and for washing dishes. Out of doors stands the mash-tub, in 
which ashes are leeched for making soap. In the cellar are the 
pork and beef barrels. 

Once a week the great iron pot is placed over the fire, sus- 
pended by a hook from the crane, and " a boiled dinner " is 
cooked, — beef, pork, and vegetables. 

At night the fire is carefully covered, to preserve a bed of coals 
for morning. If perchance it goes out, a coal is brought from the 
neighbor's, between two chips; or, if the neighbor is too far 
away, and the family has no tinder-box with flint and steel, the 
gun is taken down from its hooks over the door, a pile of shavings 
laid, and a train of tow and powder, and the gun is flashed. 

Once, when " Mother Hoit " undertook to flash some powder, 
she inadvertently held the horn in her hand, which disappeared 
up the chimney, giving rise to an expression iii common use 
many years after, — "As quick as Mother Hoit's powder-horn ! " 

In one corner of the fireplace stands the Dutch oven, with coals 
beneath, and upon its rimmed cover. If a fire-cake is desired, the 
dough is spread upon a tin, and placed in front of the ''fore- 
stick," — for " bakers " and " tin kitchens " have not yet made their 
appearance. 

In the evening the fire is fed by pitch knots, which fill the room 
with light. In spring, summer, and fall, when a fire is not 
needed, the only light is a tallow candle. 



1809.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



177 



The women go about the house in their petticoats while doing 
their work, but " dress themselves up " in the afternoon to receive 
the visits of neighbors and friends, who are invited into the 
"front room." The word "parlor " has not come into use. Car- 
pets, except here and there one of home manufacture, are un- 
known. In summer, green pine boughs adorn the fireplace, and 
fill the room with fragrant odors. The floor is strewn with 
clean white sand, gathered from the shores of Great or Long 
pond, and swept into curved lines, scrolls, and Avliorls, by a 
broom. 

Of books and papers, there is the Bible, and in religious 
households, a volume, perhaps, of Dr. Smith's Sermons. The 
almanac hangs above the fireplace, and it is consulted daily " to 
see what the Aveather saj's," — whether the moon is right to kill 
hogs, so that the pork will swell in the pot instead of shrinking, — 
whether the signs are right for the cutting of alders. The moon, 
according to the almanac, rules the weather, and if the weather, a 
great many other things. 

Of papers, there is the Concord Gazette, published by George 
Hough, which comes once a week to give the latest news from 
Europe, with a piece of poetry, original or selected, in one corner. 
General intelligence is advancing, and a love for literature has 
been awakened. There are those in tov»'n who read Milton's Par- 
adise Lost, who have read and re-read the Spectator, and all the 
other volumes in the Social Library. Select schools are taught by 

students from Dart- •, 

mouth college, on Lit- 
tle hill and on the 
Plain, at which young 
gentlemen and ladies 
can take up gram- 
mar, philosopliy, alge- 
bra, and composition. 
Such the general out- 
lines of society. 

Til ere is life on 
King street, which is hay scales — see page 178. 

thronged with teams from the towns farther north,— from Han- 
over, Haverhill, Montpelier, and all the northern section of New 
12 




178 CIVIL HISTORY. [1811. 

Hampshire and Yermont. The traders do a large business in 
barter, taking farm produce of every kind. 

By Capt. Benjamin Oak's stable stand the hay-scales, a pon- 
derous contrivance of levers and pullej's and winches, by which 
the load is lifted and weighed. 

Droves of cattle and sheep, on their way to Brighton market, 
fill the air with clouds of dust. 

The stage has made its appearance, taking the place of the 
post-rider. Society everywhere is on the move, feeling the vigor 
of life. 

THE COLD FRIDAY. 

1810. Friday, the 19th of January, was one of the coldest days 
ever experienced in New England. The wind blew a hurricane, 
unroofing buildings and destroying orchards. No deaths occurred 
from freezing, in Boscawen, but in other localities men and cattle 
exposed were frozen to death. 

Application was made by some of the citizens of Salisbury and 
Boscawen for a road from Corser hill to Sweatt's mill. The town 
opposed it. The court's aid was invoked by those desiring the 
highway. The town appointed Ezekiel Webster, who had become 
a citizen, as their agent, instructing him " to make all the farce 
he can by himself & evidence at the court." The court, however, 
thought that the highway was needed, and it was laid out the 
following year. 

At the annual meeting, the school committee under the new 
law made their fijst report. (See Educational History.) The 
Stirrup-iron bridge was rebuilt during the year. 

The first annual meeting of the New Hampshire General Asso- 
ciation of Congregational Ministers was held at the East meeting- 
house. (See Ecclesiastical History.) It was an important meeting 
in many respects, and was followed by a great religious awaken- 
ing. 

THE town's poor. 

1811. That the town intended to care well for its j^oor is 
manifest from the conditions under which 'Hhe keeping" of 
Susanna Danforth's children were sold. 

[From the Records.] 
" Whoever bids off either of the children are to furnish them with 



1812.J CIVIL HISTORY, 179 

suitable & sufficient meats, drinks, clothing, give them an opportunity 
to go to school when there is one kept in the district where they may 
live & return them to the selectmen on the second Tuesday of March 
1813, with as good cloaths as were received. All doctors bills to be paid 
by the town under the direction of the selectmen. " 

As the children, with the exception of the eldest, were too 
yoimg to be of service, the amount paid represents the price of 
board at that period : 

" Thomas 8 years old to Capt Silas Call at 17 cts per Aveek 
" Mary 6, to Geo T Flanders at 36 cts. 
" Patty to Sam B Gerrish at 40 cts. 
" Laura 2, to Leonard Seuter 47 cts." 

BASHAN MINING COMPANY. 

In 1812, Col. John Farmer, Abraham Burbank, Moses Gerrish, 
William Danforth, Moses Tyler, of Hopkinton, Little Burbank, 
Moses Little, and other citizens, formed an association known as 
the Bashan Mining Co. It w\t,s thought that lead and silver 
would be found on land owned by William Danforth. Ex- 
travagant stories were current in regard to lead mines known to 
the Indians. It was currently reported that the Indians knew 
a place where they could cut out the lead with their knives, and 
thus obtain bullets. If the citizens had known aught of mineral- 
ogy, they would have rejected such fictions at once, for lead 
never exists, in its native state, in such a form. 

The first meeting of the association was at the house of Abra- 
ham Burbank, Oct. 27, 1812. Moses Gerrish was chosen modera- 
tor, and John Farmer clerk. 

At the second meeting it was 

'^ Voted that Johu Holmes shall have a share in said mine, providing 
that he will show the company where the real substance of Lead is, & 
not without, 

" Voted that application be made to Israel Diamond of Goffstown for 
the discovery of the mine if Holmes should fail. 

" Voted that application be made to Doctor Withs [Withem] of Ply- 
mouth if Holmes & Diamond should fail." 

These gentlemen — Holmes, Diamond, and Withem — were sup- 
posed to be able to locate a mine by the use of witch-hazel rods, 
which, when carried in the hand, would point to the precious 
metal. 



180 CIVIL HISTORY. [1813. 

Which of these located the mine is not known, but operations 
began near William Dauforth's house. A hole thirty or forty 
feet deep was dug, but no silver or lead was found, and the mine 
was soon abandoned. 

SHEEP. 

Attention was given to sheep husbandry. Dea. Enoch Little 
procured some French Merinos, and was the first to introduce 
fine wooled sheep. 

1813. The town voted " to give the soldiers in Boscawen [mi- 
litia] in lieu of meats and drinks thirty-four cents to be delivered 
to the captains to be distributed to each soldier." 

BURIAL-GROUND. 

" Voted that Mr Beiija Stickney, Lt James Giddings & Capt Heze- 
kiah Fellows be a committee to lay out the westwardly buryiug 
ground." 

This is the burial-ground around the Webster town-house. Up 
to this period, the burial-place at the west end was on the east 
side of the road leading from Mutton road south to Pleasant 
street. The spot is now overgrown with large trees. Some of 
the graves are still to be seen. 

"sheep fever." 

The body politic is subject, like the human system, to epidem- 
ics. The first epidemic seizing the farmers of Boscawen was the 
"sheep fever" of 1813. The war with England had stopped the im- 
portation of all foreign fabrics. There was a great demand for 
woollen goods, and a consequent enhancement in the price of 
wool and the value of sheep. Everybody went into sheep hus- 
bandry. 

Of the progress of the "fever," we quote from the day-book of 
Dea. Enoch Little, Sr. : 

" October 1813. A speculation begins about this time in sheej). Sold 
15 ewe lambs at $5.50. Sold cloth at Salem to the amount of 90 dol- 
lars. 

" November. The sheep speculation continues. 

" December. Sold a k blood ewe for 12 dollars. 

" An extraordinary speculation." 



1814.] CIVIL HISTORY. . 181 

The sudden closing of the war in 1815, and the rapid increase of 
flocks, brought about a reaction ; and the fall in prices was as sud- 
den and great as the rise had been, bringing disaster to those who 
had involved themselves in debt. 

SWINE. 

•' Voted thatswiae shall not go at large on town street [King] begin- 
ning at Mill bridge, by widow Mary Pearson's house & running to the 
town line by Col Isaac Chandlers, from the I'*' day of April to the last 
day of October, under no less penalty than one dollar for each offence 
to be recovered by any person who will sue for the same." 

It appears that the check-list was not in use at the annual 
meetings prior to 1814. At the meeting the previous year, the 
selectmen were directed " to make an alphabetical list of the legal 
voters some time before the next annual March meeting, & that 
the following mode of voting be adopted : The voters shall bring 
in their votes for state & county officers on the same piece of 
paper designating the office against the persons name voted for, & 
as each person votes his name shall be called, by the moderator 
& checked on the list of voters by the town clerk." 

VTASHINGTOX BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. 

At the beginning of the war with England there was a strong 
opposition to its prosecution, by the federal party, which was the 
dominant party in the town. But the opposition gradually weak- 
ened. Although a " Washington Benevolent society " had been 
formed in the town as in other sections of the country, — a politi- 
cal rather than a benevolent organization, — the opposition gradu- 
ally weakened, and the town passed the following votes : 

THE WAR WITH GKEAT BRITAIN. 

" Voted that the town will give each soldier detached for the defence 
of the Port & harbor of Portsmouth five dollars, if the Legislature at 
their next session do not make some provision for them." 

" Voted that the selectmen pay Lt Thomas Towne his account for the 
expenses of the 1st detachment of soldiers in marching to Portsmouth 
unless the Legislature make provision at their next session. 

" Voted that the last draft of soldiers be made ecpial with the first for 
their expenses marching to Portsmouth." 



182 CIVIL HISTORY. [1815. 

1815. The year -was marked by another great religious awaken- 
ing, which began at the east end and extended over the town. 
"Three-days" meetings were held in the East meeting-house. 
Frequent meetings were held in school-houses and at private resi- 
dences, and almost the entire community was led to a higher moral 
and spiritual life. 

BOSCAWEX MORAL SOCIETY. 

The war of 1812 left its mark on society. Through the suc- 
ceeding years there was a deterioration of morals. Soldiers re- 
turning from camp brought with them the vices of camp life. 
Profanity was common, and there was a growing disregard for the 
Sabbath. To correct the evil, " moral societies " were formed in 
many of the towns. One was organized in Boscawen, April 12, 
1815. The particular object of the society was set forth in the 
second article : 

" The object of this Society shall be the suppression of immorality of 
every description, particularly Sabbath breakiug, intemperance, profan- 
ity & falsehood.'' 
The duties of the members are set forth in the ninth article : 

"It shall be the duty of all the members to exert their influence to 
suppress immorality of every description, particularly Sabbath break- 
ing, intemperance, profaneness, & falsehood; to endeavor to reclaim the 
immoral by friendly admonition; to aid & support Tithingmen & all 
civil officers in the faithful execution of the laws, & finally to encourage 
the rising generation in a constant attendance on public worship & in 
the habits of sobriety, morality & industry." 

The Sabbath act was enforced by tithing-meu and selectmen, as 
witness the following receipt : 

" Boscawen Dec 18, 1817. 
«' Received of Benjamin Little Esq four Dollars it being for fines for 
the breach of the Sabbath act against Hezekiah Fellows, Benjamin 
Pettengill 3'i & Amos Couch received by us. 

Moses Gerrish ? select- 
u|;4 00 Daniel Pillsbury ^ men" 

The law, however, was gradually becoming a dead letter. 

" State of New Hampshire 
" Hillsborough SS 
" To Ezekiel Webster one of the justices of the Peace within & for 



1816.] CIVIL HISTORY. 183 

said county complains Samuel Chadwick Tytbing mau of Boscawen in 
said county on Oath against Salstonstall Sawyer & Joseph Calef for 
that the said Sawyer & Calef at said Boscawen on the eighteenth day 
of February instant, commonly called the Lord's day, did travel with 
their sleighs on said day in said Boscawen against the power of the 
Statute in such case made and provided & against the peace & dignity 
of the state. 

" Whereof he prays process may issue against them and that they 
may be dealt with as the law directs. 

" Samuel Chadwick." 
" Hillsborough SS 

" Feb 19, 1816 Personally appearing Samuel Chadwick aforesaid & 
made oath to the truth of the foregoing complaint. 

" Ezekiel Webster 

" Jus Peace." 

" State of Xew Hampshire 
" Hillsborough SS 

" To the sheriff of the county of Hillsborough or to either of his depu- 
ties or to either constable of Boscawen in said county greeting: 
" Forasmuch as the foregoing complaint has been made to me you 
are hereby commanded forthwith to apprehend the bodies of the said 
Sawyer & Calef & then have them before me or any other jus- 
tice of the Peace within & for said county that they may be dealt with 
as touching the foregoing complaint as to law & justice shall apper- 
tain. 

'' Given under ray hand & seal this 19"' day of February 181G 

"Ezekiel Webster Jus Peace." 
'' Hillsborough SS 
"Feb 19, 1816 

"In obedience to this precept I have taken the bodies of the within 
named Calef and Sawyer and now have them before Joseph Gerrish 
Esq to be dealt with as the Law directs. 

"' Joseph Atkinson 

" Constable." 
" Received of the within named Calef & Sawyer their fines & com. 

"Joseph Atkinson 

" Constable." 

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 

During the year tlie first Sunday-scliools were established in 
Boscawen. It is probable that individuals gathered some classes 
in the school-districts for recitations of the catechism prior to this 



184 CIVIL HISTORY. [1816. 

date, but tlie beginning of the system dates from tliis year. (See 
Ecclesiastical Hist.) 

IRON' AXLES. 

Up to 1816 no iron axles for wagons or carriages had been 
seen in the town. In the spring, Mr. Joseph Ames and Mr. 
Nathan Plummer, having taken a raft of lumber to Medford, pur- 
chased the running part of an old stage-coach in Boston, and a 
pair of horses, loaded the team with salt, and brought into town 
the first iron axles in use. 

AN UNPRODUCTIVE YEAR. 

There seems to have been a period, from 1808 to 1816, marked 
by unusual climatic conditions. Mr. Price speaks of it as a period 
of " uncommon seasons and dearths." The year 1816 was preemi- 
nently a season of climatic changes and of low temperature. Rev. 
Mr. Price says : 

" The whole face of nature appeared shrouded in gloom. The lamps 
of heaven kept their orbits, but their Hght was cheerless. The bosom 
of the earth in a midsummer day was covered with a wintry mantle; 
and man and beast and bird sickened at the prospect. Autumn returns, 
alas! not to fill the arm with the generous sheaf, but the eye with the 
tear of disappointment! On the 6th of June the day of general election 
the snow fell several inches deep, followed by a cold & frosty niglit; & 
on the following day snow fell & frost continued. Also July 9th a 
deep & deadly frost, which killed or palsied most vegetables. The little 
corn Avhich had the appearance of maturity, was destitute of its natural 
taste or substance; & yet the providence of God was bonntiful in sup- 
plying the article of bread from the crops of rye, which were uncom- 
monly good.'' 

From the day-book of Dea. Enoch Little, Sr., we have the fol- 
lowing concise but expressive summary of the year : 

"Dec 31, 1816 

*' General observations on the year past. January was cold till the 
latter part, then the snow went off & left the ground bare till the 18th 
of February with very cold weather. Snowed again & there was a 
spell of sledding. The spring was very cold & backward— hay very 
scarce & a great deal of corn given to cattle which made bread scarce. 

'■'May. Generally cold, but we planted as early as common but corn 
was slow in coming up. 



1817.] CIVIL HISTORY. 185 

"June. Very cold. The 6"s 7"^ & 8"^ it snoM-ed. The grouiKl -was 
covered on the hight [the heiglit o£ land between the Merrimack and 
Connecticut] & in the north part of the state it was a foot deep. 

'■'June 10. A frost killed corn on frosty land. Very hot day. 

'^July 9. Frost killed both corn & taters on pine land. Very dry. 

" July 17. A fast on account of the drouth. Our hay is very short, 
perhaps k a crop — no corn silked yet & little hope of a crop. 

'■'■August. Very dry. Grain very good indeed. The woods & fences 
all on fire. 

"Sept 25 tV 26. Cold & dry & frosty. 

''Sept. 27. Killed almost all the corn in 2'^ew England, & not half of 
it was fit to roast. 

"Oct. No corn of consequence. From 4 acres I shall not get 8 
bushels of corn fit to eat though I planted my warmest land. 

"Nov. On frosty laud the orcliards were barren, but on warm land 
there was a moderate crop of apples. Cattle to hay early on account 
of short feed. 

"Dec. Generally cold. Sledding the 10"^. Sheep all to barn. The 
prospects as to fodder are alarming." 

1817. 

" Jan. 4. A little rain — warm the cattle & sheep get some fodder 
by grazing. A great deal of bare ground. 

" — 8. Snowy. Warm at night. 

" — 18. Thunder, lightning & rain last night. Snowy forenoon, 
windy & drifty afternoon. 

" — 19. Sabbath, cold windy & drifty. Xo meeting in afternoon, 

" — 22. Did not dare stay in the woods for fear of freezing my 
feet. 

" — 2.3. Moderating. 

" — 24. Snowed six inches last night & three to day. 

" — 27. Cold & Avindy. Hay very scarce, 

" — 28. Coldest day. 

" — 30. Very cold. Began to give my sheep oil meal. 

'■'Feh. If.. Frozen ears are common. 

" 5. Cellars freeze hard. 

"6. A little warmer. 

" 13. A cold winter. 

"March 30. Sabbath. Pleasant. Good sleighing. People travel the 
river yet. 

"April If,. Our sink has not thawed out this winter yet. 

"April 7. Cleared my sink of ice which has not been clear this win- 
ter, 

" — 8, My sheep depend wholly on the barn. Some bare ground. 



186 CIVIL HISTORY. [1817. 

Sickly with typhus fever. Hay scarce & dear from $20 to $4:0 per ton. 
Corn $2 rye from S|l,50 to $2. Oats 1. Wheat $2,50 to ^3,00 cheese 
12|- butter 25, pork 18. 

''Feb 11. Cold & drifty. 

" 13 Drifted some. 

** 14 Very cold & windy. 

" 15 Shockhig cold & windy last night. Cold morning. 

" 17 Moderate & cloudy. 

" 24 Drifting snow storm. 

" 25 Drifting. 

" 27 Two heavy snow storms this week. 

" 28 Cloudy & warm. 

"3/ar 1 A great snow storm last night. Snowy to day. 

" — 2 Sabbath. Roads drifted full. No horse or sleigh to meeting 
from this district. 

" G. Warm. 

" 7 Windy & thawy 

"12 Cold & drifty. 

" 13 Cold. 

"16 Pleasant. 

"il/ar 19. Cold & drifty, bitter day. 

«' _ 20 Very cold & drifty. 

«< _ 21 Windy. 

" — 22 AVarm 

" — 24 Snow 

" _ 25 Warm 

" — 26 Snowy. 

" — 27 Cold, windy, drifty 

" — 28. Snow 3 feet deep & weather cold, hay scarce and dear ^30 
per ton. Wheat !52,67 per bush, corn & rye $2,00 pork & beef, butter 
& cheese high & people poor. A windy, drifty, blustering day. 

'■'April 9. Good sleding. 

" 16. Sheep out all day — half fodder. 

"17 Pigeons fly by millions The snow banks go by wholesale — 
warm. 

" 18 Pigeons flew thick. 

<' 19 Froze hard. Snowed. 

*' 21 Ploughed with mittens 

" 22 Froze hard. Sheep to barn night & morning — to grass day 
time. 

" 24. Snowed. Ground white 

' • 25 Snow two inches deep. 

" 30 Sowed wheat 



1819.] CIVIL HISTORY. 187 

'■'■Man 7 Plowed for planting. A few snow banks yet. My wheat 
sown last \yednesday (1 week) is np. 

" 10 The earth at length is clad in richest green 

Yet banks of snow are on the mountains seen. 
"12 Trees green. 
" 13 Very cold. 
" 14 Planted corn." 

The town instructed the selectmen " to take special care that 
the law respecting idle persons be carried into execution," and 
also appointed a committee '' to see what has become of the money 
taken in iines for a breach of the Sabbath." 

1818. Four pews had been sold in the West meeting-house, or, 
rather, ground for four, and Daniel Pillsbviry, Moses Coffin, and 
Moses Fellows were chosen to collect the money, and expend it in 
repairing the house. 

KEV. MR. price's HISTORY. 

1819. At the annual meeting the town ajjpointed Eev. Eben- 
ezer Price, Rev. Samuel Wood, and Dea. Enoch Little a commit- 
tee to collate the facts in regard to the settlement and progress of 
the town. The result was, the publication in 1823 of a pamphlet 
of 116 pages, prepared by Mr. Price, entitled " A Chronological 
History of Boscawen." (See Preface.) 



[1820. 



OHAPTEE XII. 

FROM 1820 TO 1830. 

JKKOINI the establishment of Hillsborough count}- in colonial 
^j days, Amherst had been the county seat. The county was 
large, and for several years the question of creating a new county 
had been agitated. The sense of the town was taken on the 
question at the annual meeting in 1820. The vote was 176 in 
favor and 46 against the proposition. 

At the same meeting, several pews in the West meeting-house 
were sold, which had previously been sold but not paid for. The 
town's interest in the house was in the frame alone, and the ground 
for the pews. The town expended for the frame, when the house 
was erected, $104. The money derived from the sale of the pew 
ground had been applied to finishing the house. Here was an 
anomalous state of affairs, and the town's interest in the house 
was the cause of a great deal of trouble and disturbance to the 
people of the west end. 

THE CHRISTIAN UXION SOCIETY. 

It has been said that Protestantism is the very genius of freedom ; 
that to be true to itself it must ever be protesting ; and that from 
this cause have come the one hundred or more denominations of 
Protestants in religion. 

Prom the settlement of the town to the year 1820 there had been 
no organized dissent to the theological doctrines of the Trinitarian 
Congregational church ; but in every free community there will be 
differences of opinion in politics and religion. In the nature of 
things, it cannot be otherwise. The time had come for a new 
religious society to make its appearance in the town. 



6v 



"H 




^^/7^l£72Cl. 




U 



l9-iyYjn/i 



1822.] CIVIL HISTORY, 189 

The legislature of 1819 passed a general law in regard to the 
organization of religious societies, and during the year 1820 (see 
Ecclesiastical Hist.) the Christian Union Society was formed. 
The society having made application for its proportion of the par- 
sonage money, a committee was appointed at the annual meeting 
of the town, in March, to report what proportion belonged to the 
new society. Up to this time, the money had been divided be- 
tween the Boscawen Religious Society and the Westerly Kelig- 
ious Society. 

The Christian Union Society also demanded their right in the 
use of the West meeting-house. Some of the members of the 
society were pew-owners, while all the members claimed a moiety 
under the town's ownership of the frame. 

The committee reported that the Christian Union Society was 
entitled to the use of the house " one fourth part of the time for 
six months next ensuing ; " and in regard to the parsonage fund, 
that said society was " entitled to an equal share of the parsonage 
money not otherwise appropriated." 

The town was dissatisfied with the report, and it was recom- 
mitted for the purpose of having a report of all the facts in the 
case. 

1821, At the meeting, held November 5th, for the choice of 
electors, the town appointed Ezekiel Webster and the selectmen 
a committee to confer with Concord in respect to building a 
bridge across Contoocook river. 

At a subsequent meeting, held December 17th, the town au- 
thorized the committee to build and su2:)port such a bridge, to be 
located near the residence of Richard Elliott. 

1822. At the March meeting the sense of the town was again 
taken in regard to establishing a new county, — ^yeas, 196 ; nays, 
37. 

The committee, to whom was recommitted the rejiort in reo-ard 
to the rights of the Christian Unioii Society in the West meeting- 
house, reported that the amount of money originally received from 
the sale of pews was $1,838 ; that the Christian Union Society 
claimed pews amounting to f 325.75, the Westerly Religious Soci- 
ety $894.75, while those not belonging to either society held pews 
valued at $618.25. 



190 CIVIL HISTORY. [1823. 

A motion was made that the Christian Union Society should 
have their privileges in the house ; but the town voted to postpone 
action till the next annual meeting. 

At this meeting, the selectmen were instructed to settle with 
Mr. Price for taxes, which were assessed by the town and paid by 
him before the statute was made providing for taxing the polls 
and estates of clergymen. 

FARM FOR THE POOR. 

The poor of the town were set up for the last time at vendue, 
the town voting to appoint a committee to purchase a farm. The 
committee consisted of Benjamin Little, Nathan Hummer, 
Thomas Coffin, Isaac Gerrish, and John Cogswell, who were made 
overseers. 

The price paid for maintenance of the poor was from 19 cents 
to $1.00 per week. 

The committee purchased the farm of Mr. Joseph Sargent, on 
Hio^h street, near Salisbury, — tlae first establishment of the kind in 
the vicinity. The price paid for it was $1,500; for stock and 
furniture, $638; for superintendence, $120. The cost of main- 
taining the poor this first year upon the farm was $292.83. 

1823. Some of the citizens of Hopkinton, seeing the effort to 
create a new county, with Concord for the shire town, made an 
effort to throw the tide of travel tending to Concord in a new di- 
rection. Application was made to the court for a road, beginning 
in Andover, on the 4th New Hampshire turnpike, and following 
down the valley of the Blackwater through West Salisbury; 
thence via Knight's meadow and White plain to Davisville, Con- 
toocookville, and Hopkinton, and thence to Manchester. The 
project was strenuously urged by Gen. Aquilla Davis, of Warner; 
and the road was laid out by the court. Such a highway would 
have been of little benefit to the town ; and at a meeting held 
January 10th the matter was placed in the hands of Ezekiel 
Webster, Esq., who succeeded in obtaining a reversal of the 
order. 

At the annual meeting, in March, the town voted to equalize 
the school districts. 

The town also voted that the Christian Union Society should 



1825.] CIVIL HISTORY, 191 

have tlie use of the West meeting-house one fourth part of the 
time. The Westerly Religious Society questioned the town's 
right to control the house, carried the matter to the superior 
court, and obtained a decision, that, where members of one or 
more religious societies held pews in a house, the town could not 
exercise jurisdiction. 

Pending the decision, the Christian Union Society took posses- 
sion of the house, on a Sunday morning. The Westerly Eeligious 
Society thereupon withdrew, and built the meeting-hovise on Cor- 
ser hill. (See Ecclesiastical Hist.) 

GREAT FRESHET. 

1824. A great amount of rain fell on the 11th and 12th of 
February. Enoch Little's day-book contains the following record: 

" Feb 11. Rained all last night & part of the day by spells. 

"Feb 12. Rained all last night, snow all gone. 

" Feb IG. Ou Merrimack river one of the piers of Ilooksefc bridge 
gone, but not rendered impassable. Concord lower bridge two stone 
piers & a part of the body of the bridge carried off. Concord upper 
bridge new, one wooden pier & about two thirds of the body carried 
off. Canterbury carried off. Republican bridge, a new one between 
Salisbury & Sanbornton [in Franklin] gone. Smith's bridge at New 
Hampton also. On Contoocook river Four bridges in Henniker & a 
number of mills, among them those lately erected by R. M. Wallace at 
an expense of $3000 carried away. Three bridges in Warner, four in 
Weare on the Piscataquog. A number on the Connecticut & White 
rivers carried away & many mills, dams & other bridges damaged. Im- 
mense quantities of timber which had been prepared & carried to the 
bank of the Merrimack were swept away by the flood." 

1825. The town had increased in population to an extent that 
entitled the citizens to two representatives, and a fjecond repre- 
sentative was accordingly elected. 

Some citizens not being satisfied with the valuations as re- 
turned by the selectmen, twelve assessors were elected to make the 
valuation for the year. 

No action in regard to the regulation of schools was had till 
this year, when the following resolutions were passed : 

'■'■Resolved That it shall be the duty of the school committee to ex- 
amine all teachers of schools for the towns; to recommend books to be 



192 CIVIL HISTORY. [1827. 

used as classick's to give direction Avlien needful for the government of 
schools; to signify their approbation or disapprobation of the teachers 
employed to the district committee if required; and to give such rec- 
ommendalioiis as may tend to promote the general interests of Litera 
ture. 

'' Eesohml that no teacher shall be considered as qualified to instruct 
until approbated by the school committee; or entitled to his wages un- 
til such certificate of approbation is exhibited to the collector or treas- 
urer who pays the money." 

REGIMEXTAL MUSTER. 

The muster of the 21st regiment -was held this year in the field 
west of the house now occupied by Mr. Tilton, in Webster. The 
field now (1877) is mostly overgrown with trees. The sham fight 
was carried on with such vigor that one of the cavalry horses was 
killed by running upon a bayonet. 

THE FRESHET OF 1826. 

The summer of 1826 was very dry. "With the drought came 
innumerable grasshoppers. On Monday, August 28th, rain began 
to fall in the forenoon — occasional showers, accompanied by thun- 
der. From three o'clock till ten p. m. it fell in a continuous tor- 
rent, — more than twelve inches falling in six hours. Every bridge 
across the Blackwater, with the exception of that at Sweatt's 
mills, was swept away. The water ran through the ravines west 
of the village at Sweatt's mills, and also took the short cut from 
the hend near the residence of Mr. Orlando Fitts to the mills near 
Samuel Little's. The roads were very much washed. The dam- 
age in other towns was equally great. At the White Mountains 
occurred the slide by which the Willey family lost their lives. It 
has ever been known as " the great August freshet." 

The town voted at the annual meeting to appoint sextons to 
have charge of the several gravej^ards, and that all graves should 
be dug at the town's expense. 

1827. Tlie town voted that the letter B be the town seal for 
weight and measures. 

The town voted that cattle, sheep, or swine should not run at 
large : ^'provided however that the selectmen may on application 



1828.] CIVIL HISTORY. 193 

give licence to any poor person to let one milcli cow run at large," 
which entirely defeated, the object of the b3^-law. Subsequently 
the town voted that no cattle should run at large. 

1828. The town voted to instruct the selectmen " to cause the 
turnpike gate to be removed from the town's road." 

At the ballot for electors this year 420 votes were cast, one of 
the largest ballots in the history of the town. 

The taverners and store-keepers licensed to sell ardent spirits 
were Jacob Gerrish, Fish street, taverner; James West, Plain, tav- 
erner ; Keuben Johnson, Fisherville, taverner ; Worcester Webster, 
Plain, store ; Daniel Corser, Corser hill, taverner; John Greenough, 
Plain, store ; Reuben Greeley, taverner ; H. & M. Fellows, Corser 
hill, store. 

The town suffered a great loss in the death of its foremost citi- 
zen, Ezekiel Webster, who fell dead wliile making a plea before 
the Merrimack bar in the court-house at Concord, April 10th. 
The funeral was on the following Sunday, in the afternoon, at- 
tended by an immense concourse of people at the meeting-house 
on the Plain. [See Biography.] 

The regimental muster was on the farm of Wm. Abbott, on 
Water street, now owned by Jeremiah Chadwick. A company 
appeared in the afternoon dressed as Indians, with war paint on 
their faces and roosters' feathers in their caps. They took an 
active part in the sham fight. 

Two hearse-houses were built during the year, — one at the east 
and one at the west end, both now standing (1877), — and two 
hearses procured. 

13 



[1830. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

TEMPERANCE. 

iPlEIOR to 1830, there was a general use of spirituous liquors 
P throughout the country. Men took their "bitters" liefore 
brealrfast, to give them an appetite. They took a dram in the 
middle of the forenoon to " keep them up " till dinner time. Af- 
ter dinner they drank again to '' settle their stomachs," and must 
have a " night-cap " before going to bed. No matter how poor a 
man might be, in his cupboard or somewhere about his premises 
was a brown jug containing rum, gin, or brandy. 

Those who had accumulated propex-ty, and were accounted pros- 
perous farmers, furnished their cupboards with fine cut glass de- 
canters, and kept a generous supply of New England and West 
India rum, brandy, gin, port and Madeira wines. In their cellars 
were kegs of cheny brandy and barrels of cider. Cider was a 
common beverage, and bread and cider a common diet. A neigh- 
bor, entering a house, felt at liberty to help himself to a drink 
from the white or brown mug always standing on the table or 
mantel-shelf, which on cold winter days was usually spiced with 
red pepper. 

Visitors were always "treated" with the best liquors and 
wines the house afforded. No matter what the occasion, be it 
wedding or funeral, guests and mourners alike partook of the liq- 
uors wenerously provided. Pastor and people alike replenished 
their brown jugs at the stores. Ministers, in making their paro- 
chial calls, were presented with a glass of wine, either before or 
after prayer. If ministers exchanged pulpits on a Sabbath, each 
was careful to have the kind of liquor on hand which the other 
preferred. 



1832.] CIVIL HISTORY. 195 

It is narrated, that when the General Association was about to 
meet in Boscawen in 1810, Eev. Mr. Wood asked Mrs. Wood, 
who knew the habits of the neighboring ministry, as to how 
much liquor would be needed, and if she thought a gallon of rum 
would be sufficient. "No, my dear," replied the wife, "you 
know that Father Hidden will want a whole case bottle full of 
rum for himself." 

Eev. Mr. Hidden was minister at Tamworth. It is not to be 
supposed that he drank more than his brothers in the ministry, 
but that Mrs. Wood knew he had a liking for that kind of liquor. 

Liquor drinking was universal. In 1824, when the people of 
Canterbury w^ere agitating the question of building a new meet- 
ing-house, a committee was sent to view the meeting-house on 
Corser hill, then just completed. They were so hospitably 
" treated " that the driver of the double sleigh could not manage 
the team, and the entire party were so ol)livious of surrounding 
matters that they were upset in the ditch. 

No farmer thought of beginning haying without first replen- 
ishing his rum jugs. No enterprise could be undertaken without 
liquor. The largest trade of the stores was in rum. At this pe- 
riod, Messrs. Hezekiah & Moses Fellows, store-keepers on Corser 
hill, frequently sold a hogshead of West India rum in a week. The 
traders on Boscawen Plain doubtless had even a larger trade. An 
inspection of old account books of this period shows that in a ma- 
jority of the accounts are items for liquors sold by the gallon, 
quart, pint, and glass. 

The temperance movement in Boscawen liegan in 1831. Jona- 
than Kittredge, afterwards of Canaan, a reformed drunkard, gave 
lectures on temperance throughout the state. Temperance meet- 
ings were held in Boscawen, Eev. Mr. Wood and Eev. Mr. Price 
being earnest advocates of the movement. Many of the promi- 
nent citizens saw the necessity of reform, and advocated it. Meet- 
ings were held in the school districts and in the meeting-houses. 
Other citizens conscientiously opposed the movement. 

The Second Congregational church, Feb. 7, 1832, at a confer- 
ence meeting held at the house of Dea. Eliphalet Kilburn, 
adopted the following pledge, all the members present but two 
assenting to it : 

'^Resolved, that the ordinary use of ardent spirits is inconsistent with 



196 CIVIL HISTORY. [1833. 

the Christian character & that we will entirely abstain from it except as 
a medicine. Also: 

^'Resolved that all persons who may hereafter unite in covenant with 
this church shall be admitted on the principle of entire abstinence 
from the use of ardent sjiirits except as a medicine." 

A warm discussion was had, — several members, whose lives and 
characters were beyond reproach, earnestly opposing it, on the 
ground that to sign a pledge was inconsistent with Christian 
freedom. 

The pledge was adopted, however, by a large majority. It was 
circulated through the community. On the 4th of July a temper- 
ance meeting was held at the meeting-house on Corser hill. The 
light infantry military company paraded, marched to Dea. James 
Kilburn's, and escorted the Martin Luther Musical Society to the 
meeting-house, where addresses upon temperance was made, and 
songs sung. 

The churches and the leading men in the community having 
engaged in the reform, public drinking soon became disreputable. 

1833. The temperance movement had not lost its force. Dur- 
ing the fall a series of evening meetings was held in the meeting- 
house on Corser hill, in which temperance was publicly discussed. 
Mr. Amos Couch, a young joiner working with Mr. William 
Abbot, advocated reform with great abilit3\ The great question 
was, where the line should be drawn. Why shou^ld not cider be 
included ? Men became intoxicated on cider. Many citizens 
were ready to cut off distilled liquors, but would not discard the 
use of fermented. Those opposed to the temperance movement 
pressed the argument home, that, to be consistent, the reformers 
must quit the use of all that could intoxicate. Some conscien- 
tious men saw that they could not consistently ask their fellow- 
men to give vip rum, while they held on to cider. Both were in- 
toxicating when taken in excess. By no haK-way halting would 
they hinder the great movement : they discarded cider, and cut 
down their apple-trees ! 

One of the first to destroy his trees bearing only cider-apples 
was Thomas Coffin, who had a mill in which he made nearly one 
hundred barrels of cider per annum from his own orchards. Others 
used the mill, which was kept running from September till Decem- 
ber; but from 1833 on, no cider was sold by its owner till it was 
changed to vinegar. 



1835.] CIVIL HISTORY. 197 

A vigorous war was waged against foxes and crows. Forty-two 
foxes' heads were presented to the selectmen for the bounty of 
twenty-five cents, twenty-two of them liaving been caught by 
William T. Pillsbury. 

The selectmen were instructed to sell the town farm, and pur- 
chase another in a more convenient location. 

The toAvn voted that " those who worship in the West Meeting 
House should have liberty to repair the house." 

The selectmen were instructed " not to grant to any one license 
to retail ardent spirit." From unrestricted sale and universal 
drinking, in 1829, Boscawen had become a temperate community. 

1835. The town passed a by-law to prevent cattle from run- 
ning at large, " except the single cow of a poor man, who must be 
licensed by the selectmen." 

The selectmen were instructed to have the town buildings 
insured. 

The town farm having been sold, another was purchased of Mr. 
Samuel Elliot, on Water street, for the sum of $2,000. 

The town voted that the Universalist Society have their pro- 
portion of the parsonage money with other societies, according 
to the tax. 

The town also voted to instruct the selectmen to put in force 
the vagrant law, " to cause all the persons in town who are wast- 
ing their time or property by intemperance, idleness, or dissipa- 
tion, to be placed under guardianship, or sent to the house of 
correction, and to prosecute all persons in town who traffic in 
ardent spirits illegally." 

A road having been laid out by a committee from court, avoid- 
ing the hill between the house of Mr. Hale Atkinson and Mr. 
Nathan Plummer, on Fish street, the town successfully opposed 
its construction as laid out, and obtained a modification of the 
order. 

The town voted that one fourth of the highway taxes should be 
reserved for winter service. 

The town voted to accept its proportion of the surplus revenue 
of the United States, and appointed Hezekiah Fellows agent to 
take care of the same, the money to be loaned to the town. 

The town voted against a proposition submitted by the legisla- 



198 CIVIL HISTORY, [1837. 

ture, in regard to endowing a state asylum for tlie insane, — 66 
yeas, 200 nays. 

During the winter occurred a great rain, which carried off a 
large body of snow, and broke up the rivers, causing great destruc- 
tion of bridges. The Canterbury bridge, the Boscawen bridge, 
and four bridges in Concord were swept away. 

1837. The town appointed a committee to confer with the 
pew-owners in the West meeting-house in regard to making it a 
town-house. The committee consisted of Samuel Chadwick, Col. 
Moses Gerrish, Thomas Elliot, Joseph Ames, and Richard Gage. 

A controversy with the town of Concord in regard to the line 
between the towns having arisen, the selectmen were instructed 
to defend the town from all encroachments. 

This controversy arose from the construction of the factory, 
which was erected in 1836, both towns claiming it. 

COXTROVERSY BETWEEN BOSCAWEX AXD CONCORD ABOUT THE 
LINE BETWEEN THE TWO TOWNS. 

The line, as defined by the selectmen of both towns, June 2, 
1797, was as follows : 

'' Begin at a stake and stones on the southerly side of Contoocook 
river nearly opposite the middle of the main branch where the same 
empties into Merrimack being where a forked white pine formerly stood, 
which is the southeasterly corner of Boscawen running west ]7° and 35' 
south by needle four miles to a pitch pine tree which is the northeast 
corner of Concord, on which is a number of letters, marks and figures 
which we have newly spotted on three sides, which bounds and line we 
do hereby agree to ratify and confirm as the bounds and line, and to be 
the bounds and line between Concord and Boscawen. 
" (Signed) Winthrop Carter ^ Selectmen 
Thomas Thorla >- of 
Daniel Shepard ) Boscawen 

John Odlin "^ Selectmen 
Piich'i Ayer > of 
Jona. Eastman ) Concord 
(Henry Gerrish surveyor.)" 
In 1830, Benjamin Kimball bought the water-power on Contoo- 
cook river, at the upper falls, and the next year erected a grist and 
flouring mill, which was located on the line. Mr. K. died soon 



1837.] CIVIL HISTORY. 199 

after, and tlie property passed into tlie hands of F. & E. Fisher, 
of Boston, who in 1835-6 built the stone factory adjoining the 
grist-mill, just north of the line in Boscawen. The abundance of 
water-power, and the prospective increase of the manufacturing 
interest, made the boundary question one of moment. The dif- 
ference of opinion as to the boundary line arose from the descrip- 
tion in the respective charters of the two towns. The colonies 
of Massachusetts Bay, in General Court convened, at Boston, 
June 17, 1725, granted to the proprietors of Penacook (Concord) 
a tract of land on Merrimack river. The north boundary, west of 
the river, was described in the grant as follows : 

" Begin where the Contoocook Eiver falls into the Merrimcack River 
and upon a course west 17° south four miles. 

The same court. May 20, 1733, granted to John Coffin & 
Co. the plantation at Contoocook (Boscawen). The southern 
boundary adjoining Penacook was described thus : 

"Beginning at the middle of the mouth of Contoocook River where 
it empties itself into Merrimack where it joins on Penacook Plantation 
thence running westl5° south adjoining on Pennycook line four miles 
to a white pine tree marked Pennycook corner bounds." 

Concord was bounded by Contoocook river, in general terms ; 
Boscawen, by the middle of the mouth of the Contoocook where it 
empties into the Merrimack. By construing the latter literally, 
the line would be carried north one half the width of the river, 
and would inclose all of the mill and new stone factor}'- in Con- 
cord. Concord claimed that the language of the charter should 
be construed literally, while Boscawen insisted that the line of 
1797, as before stated, should be continued, which would leave 
the factory in Boscawen. 

At the annual meeting in March, 1837, the town of Concord in- 
structed their selectmen to serve the town of Boscawen with no- 
tice to meet for the purpose of making suitable arrangements in 
regard to the line between the toAvns, agreeable to the provisions 
of law. 

Boscawen declined to meet. At the September term, 1837, the 
selectmen of Concord presented a petition to the court of common 
pleas, setting forth that ''the line is and has for a long time been 
in dispute," and praying the court to appoint a committee to 



200 CIVIL HISTORY. [1837. 

examine and establish the line between the two towns. Upon 
this petition the court ordered that John Porter, Thomas D. 
Merrill, and Henry B. Chase be a committee to establish a hne 
between Concord and Boscawen, and renew the bounds and 
marks. Nothing was done until Oct. 9, 1840, when a hearing 
was held at the hotel of Reuben Johnson. Concord was repre- 
sented by Samuel Fletcher, and Boscawen by George W. Nesmith 
and Ichabod Bartlett. After a full and careful examination of 
the evidence presented, the committee affirmed the old line of 
1797, with more definite description. There are those now living 
who attended the hearing and heard the arguments, and who 
speak of Mr. Bartlett as having been very eloquent, forcible, and 
convincing. Stone bounds were erected, and no further contro- 
versy has arisen. 

A neat turn was given to the argument by him. "Boscawen," 
said Mr. B., "had in her generosity once built one half of the 
bridge across the Contoocook for the convenience of the public, 
although the river at that point vras wholly in Concord ; and now 
she would again show her generosity — she would give the v^hole 
of the bridge to Concord, and take the factory.'^ 

A road was laid out during the year from Battle street to Fow- 
ler's plain ; but the selectmen, for some cause, saw fit to delay its 
construction, and it never was opened. 

A committee was appointed, consisting of Samuel Chadwick, 
Col. Moses Gerrish, Thomas Elliot, Joseph Ames, and Richard 
Gage, to confer with the owners of the pews in the old West 
meeting-house in regard to selling their rights, with a view of 
making it a town-house. 

ANTI-SLAVEEY. 

The anti-slavery agitation which had begun, reached Boscawen. 
On tbe 4th of July a public meeting was held in the meeting- 
house on Corser hill, and an address given by Rev. Cyrus W. 
Wallace, then a student in Gilmanton Theological Seminary, for 
many years pastor of the First Congregational church, Manches- 
ter. Petitions were circulated, asking congress to prohibit slavery 
in the territories. Anti-slavery societies were formed at the west 
and also at the east end of tbe town, but the prevailing sentiment 
was against any agitation of the question. 



1838.] 



CIVIL HISTORY. 201 



Many of the citizens favored the colonization scheme, — that of 
sending the negroes to Africa, their own country. The emanci- 
pationists retorted that America was tlieir own country. They 
ohtained papers and pamphlets. They hung up in public places 
figures of a negro in chains, kneeling with this appeal, — '' Am I 
not a man and a brother ? " 

It is not probable that there was a citizen of Boscawen who at 
heart wished to have the negroes remain in slavery ; but there was 
an intense prejudice against color, — a prejudice which was shared 
by some of the best men in the community. Several negro fami- 
lies had taken possession of a house that stood on Fowler's plain 
west of Beaver-dam. They were in the Corser hill school district, 
and the children made their appearance at school. On a Sunday 
evening, after a prayer-meeting for the conversion of the world, 
the citizens tarried, and voted that they should not be permitted 
to attend school in that district. 

The excluded children, however, found no barrier to their at- 
tending school at North Water street. The great and chief fear 
was, that if the negroes were liberated in the South they would 
all flock to the North. Thomas Coffin was an emancipationist ; 
his brother-in-law, Dea. ISTehemiah Cogswell, was a colonizationist. 
Their discussions were always friendly, though sometimes warm. 

"The negro is a man, and is entitled to freedom," said the 
first. 

" Brother, do you want all those niggers to make their appear- 
ance on Water street ? " was the reply, often repeated. 

1838. Hezekiah Fellows, custodian of the town for its propor- 
tion of the surplus revenue, reported at the annual meeting that 
he had received three instalments, amounting to $5,518.86, which 
was loaned to the town. 

The committee appointed the previous year on a " town house " 
reported that they had seen a majority of the pew-holders in the 
West meeting-house, and that '' most of them were willing to give 
them up for a town house, while a few wanted about the first 
cost." The expense would be about $500. The site selected by 
the committee was near "Aaron Flanders's corner," the southerly 
end of Water street. 

The report of the committee was accepted, but nothing further 
was done in the premises. 



202 CIVIL HISTORY. [1839. 

1839. The country was still suffering from the commercial 
disasters of 1837. There was little money in circulation. Emi- 
gration from the East to the West still continued. Although the 
valuation of property on the selectmen's books was unchanged, 
there had in reality been a great depreciation of values. 

The only business out of the usual course at town-meeting was 
a vote to make the alms-house a house of correction for vagrants. 
This was prompted by the unusual number of tramps roaming 
the country — some in search of work, more to sponge their living 
out of tlie community. 






Z.X/^v^i^^ 



[1840. 



CHAPTER XIY. 

FROM 1840 TO 1850. 

^1 HE canvass for the election of President and Vice-President 
^^ during the year was one of the most exciting in the history 
of tlie nation. There were two great political parties, the Demo- 
cratic and the Whig — the Liberty party not then having been 
formed. The Democratic party was in power, with Martin Van Bu- 
ren j^resident, Avhom they renominated. The Whig party nomi- 
nated Gen. William Henry Harrison, of Ohio. The Whig party 
charged the Democrats with extravagance, — with being respon- 
sible for all the commercial distress. They raised the cry of re- 
form, economy, honesty. A party enjoying a long lease of power 
is open to attack on every side. The Whigs knew it, and made 
the most of their opportunities. 

The campaign opened June 17, on the Whig side, by a mass 
meeting held at Concord, — a meeting remarkable for the numbers 
congregated in days when the only conveyance was by horses. The 
attendance was estimated at twenty thousand. Large delegations 
were present from every section of the state. Many of those at- 
tending must have been absent from home a week. 

The Whigs brought into use aiJj)liances never before dreamed 
of in political campaigns. Gen. Harrison, having been born in a 
log cabin, was " the Log Cabin candidate ; " and cabins built of 
logs, drawn on wheels, with bear-traps and coon-skins hanging on 
the walls, were features in the grand procession. It was popular- 
ly supposed that Gen. Harrison was cradled by his mother in a 
sap trough, and wore a coon-skin coat. The Democrats called 
him the " coon " candidate. The Whigs accepted the name, and 
gloried in calling themselves " coons." Many of the Whig news 



204 CIVIL HISTORY. [1840. 

papers broiiglit out wood-cuts representing a gathering of raccoons 
playing the chorus of victory on trombones. . 

It was popularly supposed that Gen. Harrison had lived on 
coarse fare in his early life, and drank hard cider. Hence he 
was called by the Democrats " the hard cider " candidate. The 
Whigs accepted the appellation, and at all Whig gatherings there 
was a supply of fermented apple-juice. The Democrats could re- 
sort to no such appliances to win popular favor. Mr. Yan Buren 
was of an old New York family — a life-long politician. He had 
lived in luxury — enjoyed for many years the emoluments of office. 
Gen. Harrison had distinguished himseK in the war of 1812 — had 
fought the battle of Tij^pecanoe, and in song was '' Old Tippe- 
canoe." 

LOCO-FOCO. 

The campaign produced a literature peculiar to the times. The 
Democrats were called " Loco-Focos " by their opponents. In 
1834, one John Mack opened a store in Park Row, New York, in 
which he had two novelties that attracted attention. One was 
champagne wine drawn from a fountain ; the other was a self- 
lighting cigar, on one end of which was a composition that would 
light itself on being rubbed. These last he called Loco-Foco 
cigars. He patented them, the patent bearing date April 16, 
1834. 

In the year 1835 a division occurred in the New York Democ- 
racy. At a meeting held in Tammany hall a brawl occurred, 
during which one wing of the part}' extinguished the gas-lights ; 
but the other wing, having some "Loco-Foco" matches, immedi- 
ately relighted the hall. The Courier & Enquirer, in a notice 
of the meeting, called that wing of the party "Loco-Focos." The 
country accepted the name, which during the presidential cam- 
paign was applied by the Whigs to the whole Democratic party. 

In Boscawen, as in other towns, the young men who sympa- 
thized with the Whig party organized clubs, and sang campaign 
songs on every possible occasion. Many of the songs were the 
merest doggerel, but they served to keep alive the political enthu- 
siasm. One was entitled 



1841.] CIVIL HISTORY, 205 

"VAN AND THE FARMER." 

Tune — The King and the Countryman. 

" A farmer there was who lived at North Bend, 
Esteemed by his neighbors and many a friend; 
And you'll see on a time, if you follow my ditty, 
How he took a straight walk to Washington city. 
The farmer walked on, and arrived at the door. 
And gave such a thump as was ne'er thumped before. 
Mister Van thought the rap was the sound of a flail, 
And his heart beat with fear, and he turned deadly pale." 

The song went on to picture the consternation in the White 
House, where the president and his cabinet were dining at a table 
spread with a service of golden plates, cups, knives, and forks, 
and ended by installing the rough-handed farmer in Mr. A^an 
Buren's chair. 

Another song was entitled "Rolling the Ball;' or, Tippecanoe 
and Tyler, too." 

John Tyler, of Virginia, was the candidate for vice-president on 
the Whig ticket. 

"Oh! what has caused this great commotion, motion, motion 

Our country through? 
It is the ball a rolling on for Tippecanoe and Tyler, too — 

For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too. 
Chorus — 

And with them we'll beat little Van : 
Van, Van, Van, 
Is a used iip man, 
And with them we will beat little Van." 

The enthusiasm was mainly on the Whig side. The Demo- 
crats, from their position, were compelled to be on the defensive, 
and could not employ like agencies ; but the Whigs made noise 
enough for both parties, singing and hurrahing through the cam- 
paign, and burning a great deal of powder over their victory in 
November. 

THE FORMATION OF THE BAPTIST SOCIETY. 

1841. The political excitement of 1840 was followed by a remark- 
able attention to religion in the fall of 1841, spreading through- 



206 CIVIL HISTORY. [1842. 

out Boscawen and neighboring towns. The preaching of the Ad- 
vent doctrines, as held by IMiller, who believed in the immediate 
destruction of the world, had aroused the attention of some who 
had never been interested in religious matters. 

There being a few individuals of tlie Baptist order in town, an 
effort was made by them to organize a society. Eev. Mr. Pea- 
cock, Kev. Mr. Worth, and other ministers, were employed as 
preachers. A church was formed, and a meeting-house was erected 
on the east side of King street, between the house now occupied 
by Mr. Caleb Hall, and the brick store then kept by John 
Greenough. The church and society flourished for a short time, 
but the proximity to Fisherville, and the formation of a vigorous 
Baptist church and society on the Concord side, ere long made it 
apparent that to attempt to build up a church in that locality 
would be a waste of energ}^, and it was abandoned. The edifice 
was sul)sequently taken down, removed to Canterbury, and 
erected as a town-house. 

GRAXITE MUTUAL FIKE INSURANCE COMPANY. 

During the year a charter was obtained for the Granite IMutual 
Fire Insurance Company, Avhich was organized at the west end, — 
Simeon B. Little, President, and Eev. Ebenezer Price, Secretary. 

NEW POST ROUTE. 

Prom the year 1830 there had been a post-office at Sweatt's 
mills, and the mail was carried once a week from Hopkinton to 
Salisbury. The post-office was of little value, most of the people 
receiving their mail through the office on the Plain. The citizens 
of the west end petitioned for a change of route, and a mail tri- 
weekly^ between Boscawen and West Boscawen, whicli was 
granted by the post-office department, and has remained un- 
changed to the present time. 

1842. The academy had been twice used for the holding of 
the annual town-meeting. An effort was made at the March 
meeting to have the town finish off a town-house in the basement 
of the new Baptist meeting-house ; but the town refused to enter- 
tain the project. 

The anti-slavery agitation, which began in 1835, had been in- 



1844.] CIVIL HISTORY. 207 

creasing from year to year. There were many ardent supporters 
of the cause in Boscawen, but there was a division of sentiment 
in regard to the best methods of advancing it. The parent 
anti-slavery society in New York had divided ola the question. 
As in all great projects of reform, there were extremists, who held 
to their own measures and methods with great zeal, and were in- 
tolerant towards those not agreeing with them. One of the most 
zealous workers in the cause was Stephen S. Foster, a native of 
CanteriHiry, who had taught school in Boscawen, and who em- 
braced the cause with all his heart. The churches not coming up 
to his standard of action, he undertook to arouse them by inter- 
rupting the services at the East meeting-house, on Sabbath, Feb. 
3d, and at the meeting-house on Corser hill the next Sabbath. In 
both instances he was led out of doors. The affair gave rise to a 
great deal of excitement in church, and subsequently in politics. 

1843. The town voted to put a stop to the sale of spirituous 
liquors ; and Benjamin F. Kimball, Thomas Elliott, and William 
H. Gage were appointed a committee to prevent this sale. 

During the year the qviestion of building a railroad from Con- 
cord to Lebanon was agitated, but no active measures were taken 
towards furthering the project. 

1844. The town at the annual meeting voted that every 
person should be put under oath at the time of taking the in- 
ventory. 

The town granted leave to the Christian Union Society to floor 
tlie galleries in the West meeting-house. The town also voted to 
bear half the expense of repairing the outside, and of keeping it 
in repair so long as it was used as a town-house. The Chris- 
tian Union Society, having obtained leave of the pew-holders, pro- 
ceeded to make the proposed alterations, thus obtaining a com- 
modious chapel. 

Fisherville having become a thriving village, the town voted 
$150 towards the purchase of a fire engine. 

THE nortiier:n- railroad. 

During the j^ear the route was surveyed for a railroad from 
Concord to Franklin, and thence to Lebanon, — a movement inau- 
gurated by the residents of those towns. The survey was made 



208 CIVIL HISTORY. [184:7. 

under tlie direction of Thomas J. Carter, civil engineer. The 
people of the west end, believing that they had a hetter route, 
employed Stephen C. Badger, Esq., of Concord, to survey a route 
up the valley of the Blackwater. 

The Northern Railroad Company having been organized, the 
surveys preliminary to the construction of the road were begun 
during the summer. A route up the Merrimack, another up the 
valley of the Blackwater, a third up Mill brook, and a fourth via 
Long pond, were made by the company, under the direction of the 
chief engineer, Jonathan Adams. 

1846. The directors of the Northern Eailroad having decided 
to build upon tlie present location, contracted for the construction 
of the road. The first shovelful of earth thrown out in the town 
was in the excavation south of the small brook emptying into the 
pond at the southerly end of King street. 

The large number of men employed, and the disbursement of 
money for labor, gave a momentary impulse to business, and an 
activity surpassing that of any other period, perhaps, in the town's 
history. 

The road was opened to Franklin in the following winter, and 
the numerous teams and stages that since the opening of the 
Fourtli New Hampshire Turnpike had made King street one of 
the great thoroughfares of the state, disappeared forever. From 
that day to the present, no ponderous wagon, Avith white canvas 
covering, drawn by eight stalwart horses, has been seen wending 
its course along that highway ; no stage, with its six prancing 
horses, its complement of passengers, and mountain of baggage, 
has rolled along the road, leaving a cloud of dust behind : all have 
gone, — nor will they ever be seen again. 

1847. The selectmen were authorized to furnish printed copies 
of their reports. 

The town voted that the selectmen procure a certified copy of 
the proprietors' records, wdiich should be kept at the town-clerk's 
office. Hezekiah Fellows, the town-clerk, was authorized to make 
the same. 

Upon the breaking out of the war with Mexico, a regiment of 
United States soldiers, that had been quartered at Burlington, Vt., 
marched to Boston, passing through the town, halting for a short 
time on the Plain by the meeting-house. Some of the citizens 



1849. J CIVIL HISTORY. 209 

dragged the field-piece belonging to the artillery from the gun- 
house, and fired a salute in honor of this first appearance of a 
body of United States soldiers in the town. 

1848. The town having no place in which to hold its annual 
meetings at the east end, a proposition was received from the 
Congregational society in that section to make such alterations in 
the basement of the meeting-house as would accommodate the town. 
The following communication was received from the society : 

" At the arintial meeting of the Boscawen Religious Society, holclen on 
the 8"i of March, lSt7, it was voted that the town have liberty to con- 
struct a town house under tlie meeting house, with the understanding 
that said house should be at all times under the control of said society 
exce[>t when wanted for town purposes, & that the construction be un- 
der tlie joint direction of the society & town. 

" E. K. Webster, So. clerk." 

The ^proposition was accepted, and the house raised about four 
feet, thus obtaining room for a hall. 

1849. The citizens of Fisherville feeling the need of an organ- 
ization for protection against fires, upon petition, -a fire precinct 
was established, extending northward to the brook at the south- 
erly end of King street. 

LINE BETWEEN BOSCAWEN AND CANTERBURY. 

The bridges on the Merrimack not having been rebuilt by the 
proprietors, an effort was made to procure the construction of one 
on the site of the former Boscawen bridge, and one, also, on the 
site of the Canterbury bridge. There was at the time no free 
bridge on the Merrimack from Plymouth to Newburyport, with 
the exception of one at Concord. The town refused to entertain 
the proposition. The line between Boscawen and Canterbury 
was in dispute. Was it the east or the west bank of the Merrimack, 
or was it in the middle of the stream ? In order to settle the ques- 
tion, the selectmen were instructed to petition the court of common 
pleas to appoint a committee to fix the line between the two 
towns. The committee so appointed decided that the centre of the 
stream was the boundary, and so established it. 

The town voted to adopt ch. 133 of the Revised Statutes, rela- 
ting to the liens of mechanics. 
14 



210 CIVIL HISTORY. [1849. 

New hearses — those now in use — were procured during the year. 

The town passed the following resolutions : 

" Iteftolved, That the selectmen be requested to search out any place or 
places in town where they have reason to think by their knowledge or 
by information from others that alcoholic liquor is sold ; that they pro- 
ceed against them as is pointed out by statute at the expense of the 
town." 

The state constitution had been revised during the winter by a 
convention called for the purpose. But the town refused the 
adoption of the revision, forty voting in favor and three hundred 
and five against it. 

CALIFORNIA EMIGRATION, 

The discovery of gold in California created a great excitement, 
especially among the young men. Ships were chartered, from 
Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, for San Francisco via Cape 
Horn. Other vessels sailed for the Isthmus of Panama, and voy- 
agers worked their way up the Chagres river across the Isthmus 
to the old city of Panama, and thence sailed northward to the 
Eldorado. Others, still more adventurous, started westward, mak- 
ing tlie long, tedious, hazardous journey across the plains, over 
the Sierra Nevada range of mountains, exposing themselves to all 
the dangers of starvation and sickness, or death at the hands of the 
Indians. The first emigrants to California from Boscawen were 
William and Jonas Call and Bitfield P. Burhank, who made their 
way to the land of gold by Salt Lake, suffering great hardships. 







j/^^^^^^-^^ 



[1850. 



OHAPTEE XY. 

FROM 1850 TO i860. 

HE construction of the Northern Kaih-oacl brought about a 
new order of things. The tavern signs had disappeared with 
the stages and teams. The store-keepers found that their trade 
was diminishing. No longer were tliere rafts of manufactured 
himber to be seen floating down the Merrimack. The river bank, 
in rear of the academy, no longer was piled with boards to be 
rafted to Lowell or Boston. Some kinds of property had greatly 
decreased in value, while in others there had been a sudden en- 
hancement, especially in wood and timber lands. Wood, for 
which there had been no market, was worth five dollars per cord 
at the railroad. Hemlock and chestnut timber, which had been 
considered of little account, rose to the former price of pine, while 
pine lumber made a corresponding advance. 

1851. New and richer discoveries of gold in California, the 
op >ning of the Panama Railroad, the establishment of the Pacific 
Mail Steamship Line, and the marvellous stories told of the for- 
tunes made, produced a fever of unrest throughovit the community. 
The young men, and many in the prime of life, started for the 
Eldorado of the Pacific shore, a few to attain the riches they 
sought, but the majority to meet with disappointment. During 
the year several citizens of Boscawen, with others from the sur- 
rounding towns, took their dejiarture for California. 

1852. Many of the farmers had set their fences ujDon the high- 
way, causing much trouble and expense to the town from the 
drifting of snow in winter, and the town, at the annual meeting, 
voted " that all such fences be removed." 

During the annual meeting, two travellers from Vermont 



212 CIVIL HISTORY. [1863, 

undertook to make themselves citizens, and to exercise the privilege 
of voting. They were discovered, brought before the moderator, 
and, having made humble apologies, were allowed to depart, after 
paying the expenses of their arrest. 

1853. The selectmen were authorized to purchase Colton's wall 
maps for each school district in town. This was the first appro- 
priation ever made for supplying the school districts with maps or 
charts. 

The cemetery on " Norway " or " Fowler's" plain, between Bea- 
ver-dam and Little brook, was laid out during the year. 

Wood being needed for the town farm, the question was agita- 
ted in town meeting, and the proposal to purchase a wood lot was 
rejected. 

"Voted that the selectmen be not authorized to purchase a wood 
lot." 

The town passed a by-law, forbidding persons to drive faster 
than a walk over any bridge that cost more than $1,000. The 
penalty for such an offence was $1. 

THE REBELLION. 

1861. In all free governments there will ever be political parties. 
Well for the human race that it is so. In the free discussion of 
tlie great principles underlying republican government lies the 
liberty of the nation. Previous to the outbreak of the slave- 
holders' rebellion, party lines were strictly drawn throughout the 
nation ; but, with the booming of hostile cannon upon Fort Sum- 
ter and the humiliation of the flag of the nation, the citizens of 
Boscawen and Webster, in common with the great majority of the 
people of the North, gave thfeir support to the government. The 
part taken in the great struggle by the citizens of the two towns 
is set forth in another place. [See Military Hist.] 

1862. At a meeting held Aug. 4, the town voted $100 to vol- 
unteers, — to be paid to those enlisting in the town. 

The sum of $2,000 was voted in payment of the same, to be 
assessed the following year. 

1863. At the meeting in March, the town voted that no horses, 
cattle, or other stock be permitted to run at large, under a penalty 
of $2. 



18G6.] . CIVIL HISTORY. 



213 



At a meeting in August, the town voted to pay each conscript 
or his substitute, when mustered into the service of the United 
States, the sum of $300 ; and the selectmen were authorized to 
borrow a sum not exceeding Jf? 10,000 in payment of bounties. 

WAR MEASURES. 

1864. At the annual meeting in March, the town voted to raise 
$3,500, and the selectmen were authorized to hire a sum not 
exceeding $3,000 for families of soldiers. 

The following resolution was adopted : 

Resolved, That whenever during tlie year the selectmen shall be 
officially notified that tlie town is required to furnish soldiers for the 
service of tiie United States, the selectmen be authorized to offer 
and pay, in behalf of the town, such bounties to or for volunteers as they 
may deem necessary, and to take such means as they may deem expe- 
dient to procure volunteers ; also, that they be authorized to borrow 
on the credit of the town a sura not exceeding one hundred thousand 
dollars. 

The town purchased an iron safe, for the preservation of the 
records, which was placed in the town hall, but which, from the 
dampness of the place, proved of little value. 

1865. At the meeting in March the selectmen were authorized 
to hire $33,000, and to issue coupon bonds bearing interest at six 
per cent., the sum of $2,000 to be retired each year. 

'' Voted, To raise $2,000 for the payment of the interest on the town 
debt, and $3,000 for the fatnilies of soldiers. 

'■'Voted, To memorialize the legislature for a loan equalizing bounties 
paid to towns." 

Although the selectmen had been authorized in the previous 
year to raise a sum not exceeding $100,000, only a third of the 
amount was needed to fill the town's quota, and the indebtedness 
of the town did not much exceed $30,000. 

FUXDIXG THE DEBT. 

1866. The indebtedness of the town to the amount of twenty- 
eight thousand dollars, was funded, and bonds issued in denomi- 
nations of $50, $100, $200, and $500, dated 2d July, 1866, bear- 
ing six per cent, interest, $2,000 to be retired j^early, till the debt 

•should be extinmiished. 



214 CIVIL HISTORY. [1875. 

The town, at the annual meeting, voted 40 cents to each mem- 
ber of the Fire Engine Co., Eisherville, for each attendance at 
the monthly meeting, the company consisting of 35 men. 

SALE OF THE ALMSHOUSE AXD POOR-FAKM. 

1868. Merrimack county having purchased a county farm for 
the maintenance of the poor, the town voted to sell its farm on 
Water street ; and Isaac K. Gage, Francis S. French, and Bradley 
Atkinson were appointed a committee to dispose of the same. 
The sale was not consummated, however, till the following year. 

CEMETERY OX THE PLAIIST. 

1869. At the annual meeting, Isaac K. Gage, Dr. E. K. Webster, 
and George Knowles were appointed a committee " to lay out 
and grade the cemetery on the Plain." 

HIGHWAY TAX. 

1870. The town voted to pay its taxes on highways in money, 
and to raise the sum of one fourth of one per cent, on the valua- 
tion, to be expended on the roads. 

The sense of the town on the revision of the state constitution 
resulted, for the first time since its settlement, in an affirmative 
vote, — seventy-two in favor of revision, and twentj'-three in oppo- 
sition. 

1871-73. No business, other than that ordinarily arising at the 
annual meetings, was transacted during the years 1871, 1872, and 
1873. 

1874. The town voted $400 for the construction of a " lock- 
up " at Fisherville. 

An article in the warrant relative to the abolishing of the sev- 
eral school districts, and placing their control in the hands of a 
town committee, was passed over. 

THE TOWX HISTORY'. 

1875. The town voted a sum of $300 to be paid to Cliarles C. 
Coffin, for the compilation of a history of the town. 

The sum of $250 was voted to the Fire Engine Co. at Fisher- 
ville. 



1876.] CIVIL HISTORY, 215 



CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

1870. A special meeting of the town was called June 26, to 
take action in regard to the celebration of the centennial anniver- 
sary of American Independence. 

The following resolution was adopted : 

Resolved, That the town of Boscawen will celebrate the centennial 
Fourtli of July, 1876, and that the selectmen be authorized and in- 
structed to appropriate out of the treasury the sum of $300 towards the 
proper expenses of such celebration," 

The proceedings on the 4th of July were published in pamphlet, 
by S. G. ]S[oyes, of Fisherville. 

[From the History of the Centennial Celebration.] 

"celebration op 4th of JULY, AT BOSCAWEN, 1876, 

''The town, at a meeting of its legal voters, having voted to celebrate 
this centennial anniversary, and appropriated money for that purpose, 
the following officers and committee were appointed : 

President — N, Butler, Esq. 

Vice Presldeuts — Calvin Gage, Nath. R. Greeley, E. S. Harris, Ira 
Sweatt, Moses Morse, Abraham Ilook, A. G. Kimball, JSTath'l S. Web- 
ster, Luther Gage, Peter Coffin, Wm. P. Abbott, H. P. Gill, 

Secretaries— Isaac K. Gage, Charles E. Chadwick, C. M. Rolfe. 

Committee of Arrangements — Isaac K. Gage, T. O. Wilson, Charles J. 
Ellsworth, Charles W. Webster, John E. Itines. 

Committee on Grounds — John C. Gage, Walter E. Sweatt, Asa M. 
Gage, Joseph Chandler. 

Committee on Refreshments — Ilarley C, Gage, Geo, A. Morse, Charles 
W, Webster, L. W. Couch, David Abbott. 

Committee on National Salute — Hannibal Bonney, D. E. Jones, Chas. 
Meagher. 

Committee on FireworJcs—'^Yl\]le H. Bonney, IST, R. Greeley, A, G. 
Kimball, W. B. Hardy. 

Committee on il/(wjc— Samuel (t. Noyes, Henry T. Foote, T. O. Wil- 
son, John Taylor. 

Coynmittee on Oration—lsaaa K. Gage, N, Butler, J. C. Gage, D, F. 
Kimball. 

3£arshals~T. O. Wilson, D. F. Kimball, E. G. Wood, S. K. Mann. 

Toast- Master— Rqv. A. C. Hardy. 



216 CIVIL HISTORY, [1876. 

At sunrise the bells were rung, and a national salute of thirteen guns 
was fired; at noon the bells were again rung, and a salute of twenty-six 
guns fired. 

At 2 o'clock, exercises were held in the grove east of Penacook Acad- 
emy, as follows : 

Prayer by Rev. J. E. Burr; reading of the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence by Rev. J. A. Freeman ; oration by Charles C Coffin, Esq., of 
Boston. 

Near the close of the oration (indications of a shower appearing) the 
audience repaired to Academy Hall. After the oration, !-entiments 
were proposed by Rev. A. C. Hardy, Toast-Master, and responded to 
as follows : 

' The Past, Present, and Future of our Government,' by N. Butler, 
Esq. 

' The Day we Celebrate,' by E. G. Wood, Esq. 

' The Mother Country,' by Rev. J. A. Freeman. 

' The Old Folks at Home ' by Col. D. F. Kimball. 

' Boscawen's Son, the town of Webster,' by J. C. Pearson, Esq. 

' The Orator of the Day,' by C. C. Coffin, Esq. 

The exercises were interspersed with singing, accompanied by an or- 
gan and cornet, under the direction of S. G. Noyes. 

During the latter part of the afternoon and early evening, sixty-one 
guns were fired, making one hundred in all, and bells were rung at sun- 
set. 

At dark a large concourse of people assembled at Penacook Square, 
to witness the grand display of fireworks that had been procured for 
the occasion. The display was very fine, considering the dampness of 
the atmosphere, which affected their burning very much. Unfortunate- 
ly, before they were all burned, tiie rain dispersed the crowd. 

Notwithstanding the interruption by the rain during the oration, and 
of the fireworks in the evening, all who participated in the celebration 
enjoyed the exercises, and will long remember the Centennial of 1876," 



[1860. 



WEBSTEE. 



^1 HE act jiassed bj- the legislature of 1S60, incorporating the 
^^section west of Beaver-dam as a separate town, was approved 
by the governor July 4th, and became a law. 

ACT OF IXCOKPORATIOX. 

"an act to divide TIIP TOW.V OF BOSCAAVEX AND CONSTITUTE THE 
TOWN OF WEBSTER. 

"iJe it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court 
convened : 

" Section 1. That all that part of the town of Bo.scawen lying west- 
erly of the following described line, to wit, — beginning at the centre of 
Beaver-dam brook, so-called, on the nortlierly boundary line of said 
town, and running thence southerly along the centre of said brook to 
Conch pond, so-called; thence in a straight line across said pond to the 
brook connecting the same with Great pond, so-called ; thence along 
the centre of said last mentioned brook to said Great pond ; thence 
in a straight line across said Great pond to the brook running there- 
from at the southerly end thereof; thence along the centre of said brook 
until it strikes the southerly side of the highway near Burbank's mills, 
so-called, leading from Ephraim Plumer's to Dodge's mills, so-called ; 
thence easterly along the southerly side of said highway, to a point in a 
line with the westerly side line of the fifth range of the forty-five acre 
lots in the fourth division, as originally laid out ; thence southerly to 
and along said westerly side line of said fifth range, and in continua- 
tion of the same direction, to the southerly boundary line of said Bos- 
cawen, be, and the same hereby is, severed from said town, and made 
a body politic and corporate, by the name of Webster. 

"Sec. 2. All real and personal property, including all debts, claims, 
and demands of any kind, now owned by and due to the town of Bos- 



218 CIVIL HISTORY. [1860. 

cawen ; all school and other funds belonging to said town ; and the 
proportion of the literary fund, which until a new apportionment of 
state taxes shall be payable to said towns, shall be divided between 
them in the proportion of five dollars to Boscawen and three dollars 
and fifty cents to Webster ; and if said towns cannot agree upon the 
division of any such projjerty, George W. Nesmith of Franklin, Asa P- 
Gate of Northfield, and John Abbott of Concord, upon request of either 
town, may make division of the same, or assign the same, or any part 
thereof, to either of said towns, and may order the town to which 
such property may be assigned to pay over such sums of money to the 
other town as in their opinion is equitable, according to the foregoing 
propositions, and may fix the time of payment. 

"Sec. 3. All taxes assessed since March last upon the polls and estate 
of persons residing in said Webster as hereby constituted, all non-resi- 
dent taxes assessed since March last in said town, shall be collected by 
the collector to whom the same has been committed for that purpose, 
and, after deducting therefrom the state and county taxes, sliall be by 
him paid over to said town of Webster in the same manner in which he 
is directed to pay the same to the town of Boscawen before the divi- 
sion thereof; and the treasurer of AVebster, when duly chosen and 
qualified, shall have the same power to issue an extent against such col- 
lector, for any neglect to comply with the provisions of this act, that he 
■would have if such collector had been chosen by said town of Webster. 
" Sec. 4. All debts and liabilities heretofore incurred by said town of 
Boscawen, and all municipal expenses of said town since the first day of 
March last shall be paid by the aforesaid towns in the same proportion 
as hereinbefore prescribed for the division of property. 

" Sec. 5. All paupers now supported by, and in the actual receipt of 
assistance from said Boscawen, shall be supported by the towns of Bos- 
cawen and Webster, each contributing in the same proportion as herein- 
before mentioned for the division of property, until such time as either 
of said towns shall call for a division of said paupers; and if said towns 
do not agree upon a division, the aforesaid Nesmith, Gate, and Abbott 
shall, upon the request of either of said towns, determine and assign to 
each of them its proportion of said paupers, upon the same basis, as 
near as practicable, as that prescribed for a division of the town prop- 
erty, and determine which of said paupers shall be supported by each 
of said towns. 

" Sec. 6. In all assessments of state and county taxes until the legis- 
lature shall otherwise order, Boscawen, after this division thereof, shall 
pay four dollars and twenty-two cents, and Webster two dollars and 
ninety-six cents ; and the state and county treasurers shall issue their 
respective warrants accordingly. 



18G2.] CIVIL HISTORY. 219 

"Sec. 7. Simeon B, Little, Jeremiah S. Webber, and Joseph L. 
Condi, or any two of them, may call the first meeting of said town of 
Webster, by posting up a warrant for that purpose as the law directs ; 
at wliich meeting either of said persons may preside until a moderator 
be chosen; and at such meeting all necessary town officers may be 
chosen. 

" Sec. 8. This act shall take effect from and after its passage. 

"Approved July 4, 1860." 

FIRST TOWN-MEETING. 

The first town-meeting Avas liold Aug. 11. Simeon B. Little 
was chosen moderator and David E. Burhank town-clei'k. The 
highest number of votes cast was 204. 

Nov. 6, 18(30. At the meeting for choice of electors for Presi- 
dent and Vice-President of the United States, measures were 
taken to form a settlement with the town of Boscawen. 

Voted That the selectmen be authorized to settle the division of prop- 
erty, and all other matters contemplated by the act of tlie legislature 
constituting this town, with the town of Bo-cawen; provided, that said 
town of Boscawen shall make propositions for tliat purpose in their 
judgment equitable and just, in \yhich case they be authorized to make 
conveyance of real or other estate, as may be necessary for a final dis- 
position of the matter. In default of such equitable proposition let the 
settlement be made as provided in said act as the final resort." 

March 12, 1861. 

^^Voted, To adopt tlie same method to repair highways as formerly in 
the town of Boscawen reserving one fourth of the tax for winter use." 

^^ Voted, Not to revise the constitution." 

Twelve hundred dollars was raised for town expenses. 

^^ Voted, To refer the organization of the school districts affected by 
the late division to the selectmen." 

Jan. 15, 1862. The citizens of Webster manifested their pat- 
riotism in common witli the citizens of surrounding towns, by vot- 
ing, at a meeting held Jan. 15, to support the families of those 
soldiers who had enlisted ; and the selectmen were authorized to 
hire money for that purpose. 

March 11. At the annual meeting, the town raised |1,200 for 
current expenses. 



220 CIVIL HISTORY. [1863. 

^^ Voted, To raise seventy-five cents on a dollar of the reduced valua- 
tion for the repair of highways the present year, one half of which shall 
be reserved for winter use." 

A code of by-la-ws Avas adopted, prohibiting cattle and sheep 
from running at large. 

PATRIOTISM. 

Although there were many citizens in the town who felt that 
the war was unnecessary, and might have been avoided, and who 
were opposed to the acts of the administration, yet they acqui- 
esced in what was done to suppress the rebellion. A few only 
allowed their political prejudices to carry them far enough to 
oppose inducements for enlistment. 

Aug. 7. A meeting was held to see what action the town 
would take to encourage enlistments. 

^^ Voted, That the town pay one hundred dollars to each recruit who is 
an inhabitant of this town, who will enlist before the eigliteenth of the 
present month for tlie term of three years, not to exceed the quota re- 
quired of tins town, to be paid when mustered into the service." 

Yeas, 50 ; nays, 13. 

^^ Voted, That the selectmen he authorized to hire a sum not exceed- 
ing three thousand dollars, to meet the expense of paying the above 
bounty to volunteers." 

Another town-meeting was called Sept. 3. 

'^ Voted, Tiiat the town pay to volunteers for nine months in the army 
of the United States, one hundred dollars each, upon their being mus- 
tered into the ^;e^vice of the United States, and the selectmen are em- 
powered to hire money sufficient to pay tlie same." 

1863. At a town-meeting held 7th Jan., — 

"Fo/eJ, That the selectmen be instructed to pay the families of all 
volunteers who have left a wife, four dollars per month, and, on the 
claimant making a statement of her property and means of living, un- 
der oath if required, more, if, in their judgment, the circumstances of their 
families require it; and all as [who] claim as other relatives shall make a 
written statement, under oath, if required, of their property and means 
of living, and the selectmen shall decide whether they are entitled un- 
der the law under which they claim." 

^^ Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to hire such sum of money 



1863.] CIVIL HISTORY. 221 

as may be necessary for the support of families of volunteers, not to ex- 
ceed five thousand dollars." 

'^Voled, That the selectmen procure men to fill the town's quota on 
the best terms they can, and pay from any money belunging to the 
town not otherwise appropriated.'' 

Mar. 10. Twenty -live luindred dollars was voted for current 
expenses. 

Sept. 7. In town-meeting, — 

^'Resolved, That the town of Webster pay to its drafted men, and all 
those that may be drafted, or their substitutes, the sum of tiiree hun- 
dred dollars, in accordance with an act of the legislature passed June 
session, 1803, and approved July 10, 1863." 

^'■Voled, That tiie selectmen be authorized to iiire such sum of money 
as may be necessary to pay the bounties of its drafted men, or their 
substitutes, not to exceed the sum of five thousand dollars." 

Nov. 13. 

'^ Voted, That the selectmen be instructed to fill the town's quota on 
the best terms they can." 

"Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to hire a sum of money not 
to exceed five thousand dollars." 

1864. Mar. 8. The town voted $1,500 for current expenses. 

"Fo/erZ, That a bounty of three hundred dollars bo paid to its veteran 
volunteers, who have or may reenlist to the credit of tiie town, and 
authorize the selectmen to raise money for the same.'* 

June 10. A special town-meeting was called to take measures 
to promote enlistments. 

" Voted, That the selectmen be instructed to procure nine volunteers, 
to be credited to the town of Webster, and that they proceed fortiiwith 
with the business." 

''Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to hire a sum of money not 
to exceed ten thousand dollars." 

Town-meeting was held 8th Nov., for choosing five electors of 
President and Vice-President of U. 8. A. 

On the question, " Is it expedient that a commission be called 
to revise the constitution ?" the vote was, — yeas, 100 ; nays, 55. 
Of the foregoing votes for the proposition, ninety-five had the 
following qualification annexed : 



222 CIVIL HISTORY. [1867. 

" The convention to be limited in its action to making provision for 
allowing qualified voters in tlie military and naval service of the coun- 
try to exercise the right to vote while absent from the state." 

Dec. 14 

^^Vote<l, That the town will furnish a substitute for each enrolled man 
who has or may furnish the selectmen the sum of two hundred dollars. 
The number to be limited to a sufficient number to fill the quota of the 
town under a future call for 500,000 men, and that the selectmen be 
authorized to hire a sum of money sufficient for the purpose." 

The town not only filled its quota, but at tlie close of tlie war 
had thirteen soldiers standing to its credit. 
1865. March 14. 

"Fo/er7, To raise thirty-five hundred dollars to defray town charges 
for the ensuing year." 

COUNTY ALMS-HOUSE. 

The town voted that it was expedient for the county to pur- 
chase a farm and buildings for a county alms-house. The farm 
first occupied hy Col. Henry Gerrisli, on Fish street, was sub- 
seqxiently purchased for that purpose. The town of Webster 
therefore never has established an alms-liouse. 

Fifteen dollars was voted to the " Teachers' Institute," or 
rather to the conventions held by the teachers of the common 
schools, from time to time, by the teachers in the county. 

March 13, 1866. At the annual meeting fifteen ballotings 
were had for representative without an election, and the town 
therefore was unrepresented during the year. 

Two per cent, on the valuation was voted for current exj^enses, 
the higliest tax ever assessed. 

The selectmen were instructed to use all necessary means to 
secure the payment of a claim against the state for bounties ad- 
vanced in 1864. 

Marcli 12, 1867. Tbe tax levy for 1866 having proved more 
than sufficient for current expenses, a levy of only one and one 
fourtli per cent, of the valuation was needed for the year. Not- 
withstanding the heavy burdens entailed by the war, the citizens 
manifested their determination to allow no deterioration of their 



1872.] CIVIL HISTORY, 223 

educational institutions by voting to raise one hundred and fifty 
dollars in addition to the amount required by law. 

Marcli 10, 1868. Voted to raise one and one half per cent, on 
the polls and ratable estates to defray current expenses. 

TAXATION OF UNITED STATES BONDS. 

Should the bonds of the United States be taxed ? The ques- 
tion greatly agitated the public. Tlie loan of the United States, 
authorizing the issue of bonds, exempted them from taxation, 
and every man who had money for investment became a bond- 
holder. In consequence, a large aniount of capital escaped tax- 
ation. The exemption was felt to be a hardship on the poor, 
and a benefit to the rich. 

The following question was presented to the town : 

" To see if the town will petition Congress to levy a tax on all the 
bonds of tlie United States, not exceeding one per cent, semi-annually, 
and make the same a lien on the coupons and interest of said bonds, 
and set the same apart as a sinking fund, to be applied in the purchase 
of the debt of the United States in such manner as Congress may 
direct." 

The proposition was rejected. Yeas, 31 ; nays, 38. 

March 9, 1869. Four thousand five hundred dollars was voted 
for current expenses. It was voted to fund the debt of the 
town, and the selectmen were authorized to issue bonds to that 
end. 

November 9. A meeting was held to take action upon the 
question of establishing a state police. Voted in the negative. 
Yeas, 8 ; nays, 45. 

March 14, 1870. Five thousand dollars was raised for current 
expenses. 

BUKIAL-PLACE. 

1871. Voted to laj' out a burying-place on the lot of land 
now occupied by William Clough and others. 

March 12, 1872. Four thousand dollars was raised for cur- 
rent expense. 



224 CIVIL HISTORY. [1876. 

EXEMPTIOX OF MILLS FKOM TAXATION. 

A meeting was held 18 May, to see if the town would adopt 
an act of the legislatvire exempting mills from taxation. 

The following resolution was passed by yea and nay vote. 
Yeas, 33 ; nays, 1. 

^'■Resolved, That the town of Webster will exempt from taxation, for 
five years, any sum of money between eight and twenty thousand dol- 
lars, the capital to be invested in mills and machinery, material or stock, 
for the manufacture of fabrics of cotton or wool, or any other material; 
and further, that the town will exempt, for a term of ten years, any 
sums of money between twenty and one hundred thousand dollars. 
Provided, that such exemption shall apply only when such sums of 
money shall have been expended in mills and machinery, material or 
stock." 

1873. INIar. 11. Five thousand dollars was voted for current 
expenses and interest, and for the reduction of the debt. The 
town thus resolutely set its face for the extinguishment of its 
indebtedness. 

1871. Mar. 10. Four thousand five hundred dollars was voted 
for expenses and interest ; and the selectmen were authorized, in 
case that amount was not sufficient, to sell " so many of the state 
bonds at par and interest as will meet the deficit." 

1875. Mar. 9. Voted to raise $2,000 for current expenses. 

'■'■Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to make such exchange of 
its municipal war loan bonds for the unmatured bonds of the town, as 
they think will be for the best interest of the town." 

1876. Mar. 14. Voted to raise .f 2,500 for current expenses. 

HISTORY OF THE TOWX. 

The 9th article of the warrant was as follows : 

"• To see what sum of money, if any, the town will raise towards pub- 
lishing a history of Boscawen, including that of Webster, up to 1860, 
by C. C. Coffin." 

'■'■Voted, to pass over article 9 in the warrant." 

The town voted for a revision of the constitution. Ayes, 52 ; 
nays, 33. 



1877.] CIVIL HISTORY. 225 

On the 16th of August, the 99th anniversary of the battle of 
Bennington was celebrated in the Congregational meeting-house, 
by exercises appropriate to the occasion. 

Sherman Little, Esq., was president of the day. An oration 
was delivered by Charles C. Coffin, of Boston, followed by ad- 
dresses by Rev. Arthur Little, of Fondulac, Wis., Rev. E. Buxton, 
and others, with music by a select quartette, and an original song 
by Maj. Alfred Little. 

Nov. 7. The state having voted a convention for the revision 
of the constitution, the town elected as its delegate Rev. Edward 
Buxton. 

THE HISTOKY AGAIN. 

The 4th article in the warrant was '' to see if the town will vote 
to raise a sum of money to assist C. C. Coffin in publishing a his- 
tory of the town of Boscawen ;" and the town again voted to pass 
over the article, thus declaring that in its corporate capacity it 
would do nothing towards preserving its historical documents. 

1877. Mar. 13. The sum of two thousand dollars was raised 
for current expenses. 

The following resolution was passed, — yeas, 36 ; nays, 32 : 

'■'Resolved, That the act of the town passed ISth May, 1877, exempt- 
ing certain property belonging to the Blackvvater Mill Co., so-called, be 
rescinded." 

This closes the municipal records of the town of Webster. From 
the incorporation of the town, in 1860, through a period of seven- 
teen years, little but routine business has been transacted at the 
meetings of the town. 

15 



[1758. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOET 



THE FIRST CHURCH. 

gfiraNE of the conditions of the grant to the proprietors of Contoo- 
^^*^ook was, that one eighty-fourth part of the land should be 
set aside for a parsonage, and one additional eighty-fourth for the 
minister ; and that a " learned and Orthodox minister " should be 
settled within the space of four years. We have seen in the civil 
history how, above all other things, the proprietors cared for the 
religious interests of the town. They were Congregationalists. 
They believed that the church polity, which had its origin with 
John Eobinson, William Brewster, and the men of Scrooby and 
Austerfield, in old England, which made every body of believers a 
church, with power to regulate their own affairs independently of 
bishop, priest, or pope, by a majority vote, was the polity most 
conformable to that established by Christ and the apostles. It 
was the polity of the churches of Massachusetts. The church 
was the state. The town was under obligation to support the 
preaching of the gospel. Any breach of that obligation, — any 
refusal to provide for the support of the minister, — would have 
been a forfeiture of the charter. The minister had a claim upon 
the town for his salary, and could invoke the aid of the law in 
case of any delinquency on the part of the town. The first meet- 
ing-house in the state was erected at Dover, 1633 ; but so slow 
was the advancement of civilization, that in 1670 there were 
only three settled ministers in the state — at Dover, Hampton, and 
Exeter. In 1700, there were but five churches. 




Congregational Meeting-House, Boscawen. 



1758.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 227 



MINISTERS OATHS. 



At that time ministers were required to take the oath of alle- 
giance to his Majesty George II, and to swear that "from their 
hearts they abhorred, detested, abjured as impious and heretical, 
that damnable doctrine, that princes, excommunicated or deprived 
by the Pope, or any authority of the see of Eome, may be deposed 
or murdered by their subjects or any whatsoever." 

On the 28th of Jul}^, 1747, seventeen Congregational ministers, 
from the towns in the eastern part of the state, met at Exeter 
and formed what they called " The General Convention of Minis- 
ters in the Province of New Hampshire." The whole number of 
ministers in the state was about thirty. 

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. 

In 1758 the ministers united in a petition to Gov. Penning 
Wentworth for a charter " for erecting an academy or colleo-e." 
At that time Rev. Eleazer Wheelock was attempting to bring the 
Indians within the pale of civilization by giving them a Christian 
education in a school which he had established at Lebanon Conn. 
Among his pupils was the son of Sir Wm. Johnson, a half-breed 
known in later years as " Bundle of Sticks," or Brant, who took 
part in the massacre of Wyoming. The ministers of New Hamp- 
shire heartily endorsed Mr. Wheelock's philanthropic plan, and 
invited him to remove his school to some locality in the state. 
The Merrimack and Connecticut valleys were the most inviting 
sections. No document is in existence to verify the statement 
but it has come down by tradition, that the farm now owned by 
Mrs. Francis S. French, a half mile north of the " Hollow " was 
selected as a desirable and suitable location. But Mr. Wheelock 
had his own plans. He conceived the idea of establishino- his 
school on the basis of the universities of the old world, makino- the 
school independent of town jurisdiction, with power to make 
its own laws. He selected the site now occupied by Dartmouth 
college, and named the locality Dresden. The ministers of the 
state gave him their support. They had the welfare of the peo- 
ple at heart, and in 1770 resolved, in convention, "to take meas- 
ures for supplying the back settlements with the gospel." 



228 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [1779. 

PATRIOTISM OF MINISTERS. 

During tlie revolution, tliey, with but one exception, ranged 
themselves on the side of liberty. The exception -was Eev. Ran- 
na Cosset, of Claremont. Mr. Cosset was not, however, regularly 
settled in the ministry. It is not known that his disloyalty to 
liberty extended beyond his refusal to sign the Association Test. 
Throughout the war the ministers, by precept and example, used 
their influence to sustain the cause of the people. 

THE PISCATAQUA ASSOCIATION. 

The ministers, during the war, came to comprehend that in union 
there is strength. 

Up to this period each pastor had cared for the interests of his ow^n 
charge ; but with the advance of settlements they felt the neces- 
sity of concerted action for sustaining religious institutions, and 
united in forming the Piscataqua Association, — the first ecclesias- 
tical organization in the state. 

The Haverhill Association, composed of ministers in Massachu- 
setts and New Hampshire, was formed Aug. 17, 1779. Those in 
New Hampshire afterwards took the name of Derry Association. 

The Northern Association on Merrimack river was formed in 
1788, and included the ministers from Goffstown to Thornton, 
extending west to Hillsborough. The name w^as changed to the 
Hopkinton Association in 1806. 

The Monadnock Association was formed 1794; the Orange, 
1801 ; the Plymouth, 1806 ; the Hollis, 1808. 

At a meeting of the " General Convention," at Hopkinton, 
1807, a committee was appointed to correspond with the different 
associations, with a view of establishing a General Association. 

THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION. 

The correspondence resulted in the organization of what is 
now known as "The General Association of New Hampshire." 
The first meeting after its organization was held in Boscawen, 
on the third Tuesday in September, 1809. In 1859 the fiftieth 
anniversary was held in Boscawen. The sermon on that occasion 
was preached by Eev. Nathaniel Bouton, d. d., of Concord, who 



1779.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 229 

drew the following picture of the first meeting held for business 
in the south front room of Dr. "Wood's house. 

"About two and a half miles westerly of the spot where we are now 
convened stands a humble dwelling, overshaded by a thick foliage of 
trees, and partially secluded from the view of the passing traveller. It 
was for many years the hospitable mansion of the former pastor of this 
flock, — the Rev. Samuel Wood, d. d. Fifty years ago, at this hour of 
the morning, there might be seen in that house, in the southeast room, 
which was the study of the pastor, a little company of reverend men, — 
some in the maturity, others in the prime of manhood, but all serious, 
earnest, devout, animated by one spirit, and ardent in the pursuit of 
one object. 

"In the chair, as moderator, sat the venerable Elihu Thayer, d. d., 
pastor of the church in Kingston, eminent for learning and piety, sound 
in doctrine according to the standard of the Puritan fathers and the 
word of God, and iield in high repute by all his brethren. At the table, 
with pen in hand, sat Rev. John H. Church, pastor of the church in 
Pelham, then in the vigor of life, of spare but manly form, of serious 
and holy aspect, his countenance beaming with grace and wisdom. He 
is commencing a book of records, from which, for more than thirty con- 
secutive years, his name is never to disappear, but which, unthought of 
by him, is to transmit his name to future generations. Sitting in thought- 
ful silence is the Rev. Jesse Remington, of the church of Candia, colleague 
delegate with Dr. Thayer from the Deerfield Association — sound in or- 
thodox faith, and respected as a father in the ministry. Rev. Samuel 
Wood and Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury, delegates from the 
Hopkinton Association ; Rev. John Kelley, of Ilampstead; Rev. Moses 
Bradford, the zealous and successful pastor of the church in Frances- 
town ; Rev. William Rolfe, pastor of the church in Groton, delegate 
from the Plymoutli Association; and Rev. William F. Rowland, of the 
first church in Exeter, a gentleman of courteous manners, dignified 
presence, and eminent for his ready gifts and his ability in prayer. 
They were nine in number, and this was the first meeting after its or- 
ganization of the General Association of New Hampshire." 

TRACT DISTRIBUTION". 

The public meetings drew together a great congregation from 
Boscawen and the surrounding towns. They continued three 
days. Everybody kept open doors, and there was unbounded 
hospitality. The association thus formed, at its meeting in 1811, 
held at Dunbarton, took active measures for the formation of the 



230 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [1802. 

New Hampsliire Bible Society ; also measures which resulted in 
the founding of the Kimball Union Academy at Meriden. A 
plan was adopted to procure religious tracts for charitable distri- 
bution. Rev. Dr. Church was chairman of the committee, and 
four thousand copies of a '' Child's Memorial, or, The Happy Death 
of Dinah Doudney," were distributed. The next year four thou- 
sand copies of Prof. Porter's sermon, on the drinking of ardent 
spirits, were distributed, also four thousand copies of a tract, the 
" Great Criminality of Sabbath-Breaking." This movement was 
two and a half years in advance of the formation of the New 
England Tract Society, formed 1814. It was the first movement 
in that direction on this continent. 

Thus we see that in Boscawen the first steps were taken which 
led to the organized systematic Christian benevolence which 
characterizes the present age. 

In the Civil History, we have seen the gradual progress of dis- 
sent from the established order of things — the growth of the 
idea that there should be a severance of church and state — re- 
sulting in the request of Rev. Dr. Wood that there should be a 
dissolution of his settlement, so far as the town was concerned. 

BOSCAWEX RELIGIOUS SOCIETY. 

The contract between Rev. Samuel Wood and the town was dis- 
solved May 7, 1802, by mutual agreement, the town giving him 
annually one half of the interest of the parsonage, so long as his 
connection with the church might continue. It was further agreed, 
that any persons contributing to his support should not be taxed 
by the town for the support of any other preacher. 

Under such circumstances, the Boscawen Religious Society was 
organized under the following compact : 

" We whose names are hereto subscribed believing the Institutions 
of the Gospel ministry to be of Divine appointment, that it is our Indes- 
pensable duty as well as our greatest privilege to support it & being 
desirous of having the Rev. Samuel Wood for our religious Instructor 
do hereby agree & promise jointly & severally to pay him or his agent 
on the first day of November 1803 one hundred dollars & on the first 
day of JNlay 1804 the further sum of one hundred dollars as a 
compensation to him for preaching one year from the first day of May 
1803 & we further promise to pay him a sum yearly in the mouth of Nov 



1827.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 231 

& May not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars & not less than two 
hundred dollars, but the sum that shall be assessed to be paid to him 
shall be agreed on by the Rev. Samuel Wood & the Assessors that shall 
be annually chosen having regard to the state of the society & his cir- 
cumstances while he continues a minister of the gospel among us." 

Those signing this compact were 

Isaac Pearson, Simeon Atkinson, 

George Jackman, James Uran. 

Henry Gerrish, Noali Morrill, 

Timothy Dix, Samuel Morrill, 

Daniel Peterson, David Burbank, 

Joseph Gerrish, Denison Bowers, 

Jeremiah Morrill, John llsley, 

Timothy Dix, jr., Nathan Carter, 

Daniel Carter, John Abbott, 

Josepli H. Morrill, Timothy Noyes, 

Tiiomas Gilmore, Wm. Gill, 

Somersby Pearson, John Gill, 

Isaac Chandler, Joseph Atkinson, jr., 

Nath"! Green, Jeremiah Burpt-e, 

Eleazer Burbank, Jeremiah Burpee, jr., 

John Chandler, jr., Samuel Uran. 
Job Abbott, 

George Jackman was elected clerk. 

The officers for 1807 were Col. Joseph Gerrish, moderator ; 
Somersby Pearson, clerk ; Daniel Webster, Joseph H. Morrill, 
Joel French, committee to settle with former assessors. 

Voted to apply for an act of incorporation, and elected Daniel 
Webster agent. 

ITEMS FROM THE SOCIETY RECORDS. 

In 1808 Ezekiel Webster officiated as clerk. In 1822 Daniel 
Shepherd was chosen to keep order in the galleries. 

1824. Fifty dollars was raised to repair the belfr}'- and steeple. 

1827. A stove was purchased, the records having the follow- 
ing item in the proceedings of the regular annual meeting of the 
society. 

" Voted to purchace at auction one cord hard pine wood 2 feet long 
split for stove to be cut in the spring which was struck off to Lieut 
Nathau H. Holt at $1.50." 



232 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [1839. 

1830. The meeting-house shingled. 

1831. Mr. Wood's salary was raised from $250 to .f 275. 

1832. "Voted that the stove be repaired & the funnel be carried 
through the roof." 

'Up to this period the funnel had been carried through one of 
the windows. A sudden change of the wind sometiunes sent the 
smoke through the joints into the house, filling it with a cloud 
that melted to tears those in the congregation who possibly main- 
tained a stolid indifference to the truths proclaimed from the pulpit. 

1833. Voted, That "the ringing of tlie bell, sweeping tlie raeeting- 
house, shoveling paths, furnishing good dry hard wood for the stove, 
fires made in proper season & all to be done to the satisfaction of the 
Assessors or the sexton should receive nothing for it." 

Voted, " that the Assessors get some suitable person to make an alter- 
ation & remove the Deacon's seat & procure a table at the expense of 
the society." 

Voted, " that Doct Thomas Peach be permitted to repair his pew by 
altering the part so as not to injure the house." 

1834. Rev. Salmon Bennet having been settled as colleague 
with Dr. Wood, $325 was raised for his support, and $225 for 
the supi^ort of Dr. Wood. 

Voted "the thanks of this society to Mr. Russell Ambrose for orna- 
menting the public grounds south of the meeting-house by setting out 
trees." 

1838. Voted " to pay the expense for removing Rev. C. B. Tracy to 
Boscawen." 

Dea. Nehemiah Cogswell, Capt. Samuel Chadwick, and David 
Ambrose were appointed a committee to report at the next meet- 
ing in regard to the alteration of the meeting-house. 

1839. A committee was appointed " to call upon those pew- 
holders who have not signed to give up their pews, and ascertain 
if they are willing to unite in building a new house." Jacob Ger- 
rish, Jeremiah Morrill, and John Cogswell were appointed on the 
committee. 

Voted, " to pay for the use of the double bass-viol." 

DK. wood's legacy. 

A legacy was left the society by Rev. Dr. Wood, consisting of 
his farm and buildings, which were sold to Moody A. KilburU; 
upon the decease of Mr. Wood, for $1,900. 



ISiO.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



REMODELLING THE MEETING-HOUSE. 



233 



The society voted to remodel the meeting-house, and that "the 
sills of the new house shall be one foot higher than the present 
one, and that the floor shall be horizontal, and tliat the house, in- 
side, shall be like Franklin, excepting the pulpit, and the gallery 
for singers shall be circular." 

The plan subsequently adopted was a modification of the one 
thus accepted. At a meeting held April 29, Worcester Webster 
■was appointed a committee to procure a new bell. Mr. Benjamin 
Morrill was authorized '' to raise monej^ to procure an organ, if he 
can." 

1840. The society voted to invest the 151,900, received from 
Dr. Wood's legacy, in the " Upper Intervale," so-called. 

For a period of forty years the town had used the east meeting- 
house every other year, for which the society had received no re- 
muneration, but much damage by injury done to the pews. Hav- 
ing remodelled the house, and furnished it with ciishions and car- 
pets, the society did not feel called upon to open its doors to the 
town for its annual meetings. The town, for two years, used the 
academy, and two years in succession the March meetings were 
held at the west end. To obtain accommodations for the town, 
the society consented to raise the meeting-house four feet, and to 
give the town the privilege of constructing a room beneath, which, 
when not used by the town, should be under the control of the 
society. The offer was accepted by the town, and the house 
raised in 1848. 

In 1860, a number of the public-spirited citizens of Boscawen 
finished the basement, giving it the name of " Merrimack Hall." 

THE FIRST CHURCH. 

The first church, organized Oct. 8, 1740, was established on the 
"Cambridge Platform." At that time Unitarianism, as a distinct 
denomination, had not made its appearance. There were, how- 
ever, opposing forces in theology. The conflict was between the 
"Old School " and the " New Lights." To which wing Eev. Mr. 
Stevens belonged is wholly a matter of conjecture. [S -e Biog. 
of E-ev. Mr. Stevens.] 



234 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [1853. 

CHANGE OF POLITY. 

The third minister of the Boscawen church was Rev. Nathaniel 
MerrilL — horn in Newhury, and a graduate of Harvard college. 
He was ordained Oct. 19, 1768. Under Mr. Merrill's pastorate, 
the church joined the "Grafton Presbytery." The change was 
made June 27, 1778, under the following vote : 

"Fo/ef/, To adopt tlie Presbj'terian form of cliurch order and disci- 
pline, and also that it is the desire of the church to join in tlie Ilevd 
Grafton Presbytery." 

The union of tlie church with the Presbytery was publicly de- 
clared by Rev. Eden Burroughs, a committee of the Presbytery. 

THE GRAFTON PRESBYTERY. 

This ecclesiastical body was composed of the churches in Han- 
over Centre, Bath, Orford, Hartford, Vt., and in one or two other 
towns west of Connecticut river. It was formed about 1770-1775. 
Mr. Burroughs, who acted for the Presbytery, was pastor of the 
churcli at Hanover Centre. The records of tlie organization are 
supposed to have been consumed in the burning of his house early 
in the present century. 

MR. Merrill's influence. 

That the Boscawen church changed its polity chiefly through 
Mr. Merrill's influence, cannot be doubted. He had been settled at 
Hudson as early as 1737. Many efforts were made to bring about 
his dismission in that town ; but a pastor settled by a town was not 
easily gotton rid of, unless by mutual consent. He uniformly de- 
clined to ask a dismission, and the town of Hudson finally chose a 
committee to " settle with Mr. Merrill and stand suit." [See New 
Hampshire Churches.] Mr. Merrill, seeing that the town was in 
earnest, consented to a dissolution of the contract. During his 
pastorate there, the Hudson church became Presbyterian. Re- 
ports of some irregularities had reached Boscawen, and a com- 
mittee was sent by the town to investigate them, but no evidence 
was elicited affecting his moral or ministerial character. His con- 
nection with the Boscawen church, and his contract with the 
town, tenminated in April, 1774, after a pastorate of six years. It 
appears from the records that he was absent many Sabbaths, 
which created much dissatisfaction. 



1853. J ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



235 



RETUKX TO CONGREGATIONALISM. 

The Boscawen churcli nominally was Presbyterian till 1828, 
when Dr. John Rogers was appointed to see what its relations 
were to the Presb3'tery. He could find no such organization, and 
the church passed a vote reiidopting the congregational polity. 

Rev. Samuel Wood, of Salem, graduate of Dartmouth, class of 
1779 [see Biog.], was ordained Oct. 17, 1781. 

In 1831, Oct. 17, Dr. Wood completed a half-century of minis- 
terial labor, and noticed the event with appropriate services. He 
stated that he had received into the church, by 2:)rofession, 480, — 
of whom 100 had severed their relation, 119 had died, 30 had 
been excommunicated, leaving a church at that time of 238 
members. 

Soon after this the work of disintegration began, through 
emigration, steadily diminishing the number of members. He 
remained pastor until his death, 1836. [See Biog.] 

In December, 1832, Rev. Salmon Bennet was installed as jun- 
ior pastor. By the terms of settlement, Mr. Bennet was to have a 
salary of $300 and one fourth part of the time for service else- 
where, which, proving inadequate for his support, resulted in his 
dismissal, Oct. 25, 1836. 

SETTLEMENT OF REV. C. B. TRACY. 

The death of Jiev. Dr. Wood occurring soon after, the church 
and society extended a unanimous call to Rev. Caleb B. Tracy, a 
graduate of Williams college, and of Andover Theological Sem- 
inary. He was installed Sept. 12, 1837. Large additions were 
made to the church in 1842-3. 

The organization of the church in Fisherville resulted, however, 
in the transfer, about this time, of thirteen members to that body. 

Mr. Tracy remained pastor till 1851, when he was dismissed by 
mutual consent. 

During the year 1852, the church w'as under the charge of 
Rev. Mr. Slocum. 

REV. AMBROSE SMITH. 

In 1853, June 15, Rev. Ambrose Smith, graduate of Dart- 
mouth college, was installed pastor, remaining till his death. [See 
Biog.] 



236 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [1853. 

KEV. M. L. SEVERANCE. 

In September, 1863, Rev. M. L. Severance, of Midcllebury, Vt., 
graduate of Middlebury college, student of theology in Union and 
Andover seminaries, accepted an invitation to the ministr}', and 
was installed pastor Feb. 17, 1864. He was dismissed by mutual 
council, June 1, 1869. 

While pastor of the church, fort3'-three members were received 
— thirty-eight of them on profession of their faith — thirty bap- 
tisms administered, thirty-three marriages and sixty-eight funer- 
als attended. 

Rev. Frank Haley, Rev. Corbin Curtice, and Rev. Ambrose 
Smith weije employed as preachers after the dismissal of Rev. 
Mr. Severance, but were not settled as pastors. 

Rev. J. A. Freeman was installed June 30, 1875, and dismissed 
July 3, 1877. The church at present is without a pastor. 

THE WESTERLY RELIGIOUS SOCIETY. 

This society was formed in the spi'ing of 1804, by citizens 
living in the centre and at the west end of the town, — many of 
those residing on Water street, for some cause, preferring to iden- 
tify themselves with this society rather than with the Boscawen 
Religious Society. The number thus uniting was about 70. A 
church — the 2d Congregational — was formed, and Rev. Ebenezer 
Price settled as pastor the same year. 

The society was incorporated in 1810, and its members attended 
public worship in the West meeting-house till the erection of the 
house on Corser hill, 1823. The causes that led to the construc- 
tion of the house are narrated in connection with the Christian 
Union Society below. 

At a meeting held May 19, 1823, a building committee was 
chosen, and $500 raised towards procuring the frame of a new 
meeting-house, to be located on Corser hill, on land purchased 
from Rev. Ebenezer Price. 

The committee consisted of Dea. Enoch Little, Capt. John 
Farmer, Capt. Joseph Ames, Benj. T. Kimball, Capt. J. C. 
Plummer, Capt. Abraham Burbank, Geo. T. Pillsbury, Samuel 
Pillsbury, Thomas Coffin, Rice Corser, John Danforth. 

A committee was appointed to superintend the building of the 




Congregational Meeting-House, Webster. 



1853.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, 237 

house, consisting of James Kilbuvn, Geo. T. Pillsbury, Geo. T. 
Kilburn, Daniel Pillsbuiy. 

The committee was instructed to employ those who would be 
likely to purchase pews ; to obtain as much money as they could 
by subscription ; to hire money, if necessary ; to sell the pews at 
auction ; reserving the exclusive jurisdiction of the house to the 
Westerly Eeligious Society forever, ''it being understood that the 
house shall never be opened to preachers of any denomination 
or persuasion whatever, differing in religious principles from the 
society and church now about to build the house, unless invited 
by the officiating minister or assessors of the society." 

At a meeting held Nov. 10, Simeon B. Little was added to the 
directing committee. 

A committee on dedication was appointed, consisting of Capt. 
J. C. Plummer, Col. John Parmer, Pice Corser. 

Jeremiah Gerrish was appointed a committee to invite the 
Martin Luther Musical Society " to do the singing at the dedica- 
tion." He was also empowered to provide a supper for the soci- 
ety. Mr. Henry Little was commissioned to trim the pulpit. 

The house was constructed with great dispatch. None of the 
timber for the frame was cut till the last week in May, while the 
frame was raised on the 3d and 4th of July. The master carpen- 
ter was George T. Pillsbury. The joiner-work was done by Will- 
iam Abbot ; the plastering, by Moses Fellows ; the underpinninf^, 
by Ezekiel Evans, of Warner,— at a cost of $97.86. The door-steps 
were furnished by Benj. E. Quimbj^, of Warner, for $40.67. 

The house was dedicated Dec. 25, a large number of people 
being present from adjoining towns. 

ITEMS FROM THE RECORDS. 
''BOARD OF MANAGERS IN ACCOUNT WITH H. & M. FELLOWS. 

1823. 

June 20, By Rum ^q ^ 

July 2, " 58 

3d 54 lbs sugar at Is 9 qq 

209 lemons at 3s a doz 8.71 

7f galls WI Rum 8 62 

4f " NERum 2 37 

mug & tumblers q'ij 

July 9, 1 gall rum 0.46" 



238 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [1853. 

The vane upon the spire was made b}^ Joseph C. Morse, which, 
with the liglitning-rod, cost $5.50. The sashes were made by 
Daniel Pillsbury, 959 square lights, costing $43.15 ; the circular 
sashes, $18. 

The pews were appraised and sold at auction. The highest 
price paid was by Moses Gerrish, $110. The next in value was 
that purchased by Thomas Coffin, $109. The lowest price paid 
for a pew was $5, in the gallery. 

The society had assessed a tax of $500 upon its members, but 
the sale of the pews having been sufficient to build the house, it 
was voted, at the annual meeting, Mar. 1st, 1824, to abate the 
whole amount. 

The society voted at this meeting that the committee " get a 
stove to i>ut in, if, after adjusting all the bills, they have money 
sufficient for that purpose." 

It is probable that the fimds ran short, for no stove was pur- 
chased till 1832, and then under protest, some members of the 
society objecting. To accommodate those who were prejudiced 
against stoves, the society, in 1833, voted " to dispense with fire 
in the stove the first Sabbath in each month through the cold 
season." 

The one or two individuals in whose favor this vote was passed 
imagined that they could not lireathe air heated by a stove ; and 
the congregation, wrapping themselves in overcoats and shawls, 
by means of foot-stoves, and a vigorous thumping of their heels 
and toes througli the long-drawn sermon, did their best to keep 
from freezing. 

The pulpit was constructed after the architecture of former 
days, but was remodelled in 1844. The house has been several 
times repainted, and was reshingled in 1855. 

A deep-toned bell was purchased in 1823, but which was un- 
fortunately cracked in 1839. It could be heard at a greater dis- 
tance than any church bell in the surrounding towns. The first 
bell-ringer was Daniel Corser. The present bell was obtained in 
1839. 

SECOND COXGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The Second Congregational Churcli was formed Sept. 26th, 
1804. Letters missive, by those desiring to be organized as a 




Congregational Meeting-House, Fisherville. 



I860.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



239 



church, were sent to neighboring churches, and the council on 
that day assembled at the residence of Mr. Paul Dodge, in the 
house now occupied by Henry Dodge. The churches represented 
were, — Dunbarton, Rev. Walter Harris ; Hopkinton, Rev. Mr. 
Smith ; Salisbury, Rev. Thomas Worcester ; Tamworth, Rev. Mr. 
Hidden ; Honniker, Rev. Moses Sawyer ; Canterbury, Rev. Wm. 
Patrick ; Boscawen, First Church, Rev. Samuel Wood. 

The public exercises were held in the meeting-house in the 
afternoon. The exercises were, — an introductory prayer by Rev. 
Mr. Hidden ; sermon. Rev. Mr. Harris ; charge, Rev. Mr. AVood 
right hand of fellowship, Rev. Mr. Worcester; concluding prayer, 
Rev. Mr. Sawyer. 

Rev. Ebenezer Price [see Biog.] was employed as preacher, 
and a call extended to him to become pastor of the church and 
society. The installation occurred Sept. 26, 1804. 

In 1805, Benjamin Sweat and Eliphalet Kilburn were elected 
deacons. 

In 1806, the church voted to purchase a full set of sacramental 
cups and flagons of the church in Hopkinton, and $8 Avas con- 
tributed for the purpose. 

April liod, 1807, Fast day, a contribution was made for mis- 
sionary purposes, — the first on record, and doubtless the first in 
the history of the church, — amounting to $14.25. 

In 1811, Enoch Little was elected deacon, in place of Benjamin 
Sweat, deceased. 

1818. Sept. 20th. The church voted to accept of a i;)ewter 
platter for church use fi'om Mrs. Elizabeth Fellows. 

Rev. Mr. Price remained pastor of the church till 1837, when 
he was dismissed at his own request. The church and society pre- 
sented him with a gratuity of $865. His pastorate closed May 
10th. [See Biog.] 

In December, the same year. Rev. Edward Buxton was installed 
as pastor, witli an annual salary of |!450. His connection as 
pastor of the church continued till 1875, when, at the age of 72, he 
resigned his charge, but, after a respite of a few months, resumed 
his place in the pulpit as minister, which he still retains. 

Few churches can show such a record, — two pastorates extend- 
ing from 1804 to 1875, — a period of seventy-one years. 

Since the organization of this church in 1804, four hundred 



240 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [1860. 

liave been added to the membership, — one hundred and sixty 
males and two liundred and forty females. Of tliese^ fiftj-eight 
have joined by letter. One hundred and ninety have been dis- 
missed to other churches, thus showing the emigration from the 
parish. One hundred and ninety have been removed by death, 
and fourteen excluded from membersliip, — one of the number hav- 
ing been reinstated. The jiresent membership numbers eighty- 
two residents, — thirty-two males, fifty females, — with thirty non- 
resident members. 

During the pastorates of Revs. Mr. Price and Buxton, four 
hundred and eighty-six children have been baptized, while, of 
those uniting with the church, one hundred and one have accepted 
the ordinance of baptism. 

Dec. 21, 1868, the church voted to change its name from the 
Second Congregational Church in Boscawen, to the First Congre- 
gational Church in Webster. 

THE CHRISTIAN UNION SOCIETY. 

The legislature of 1819 passed a general law in regard to the 
organization of religious societies, and under that law the Chris- 
tian Union Society of Boscawen was formed, Aug. 16, 1820, at 
the house of Hezekiah Fellows. John Elliot, Jr., was chosen 
chairman, and Joseph Couch, secretary. 

The motives for the organization are set forth in the preamble 
to the constitution. 

"Whereas Religion and morality grounded on Evangelical principlea 
lays the firmest foundation for happiness here and hereafter and in or- 
der to inculcate and support this grand principle it becomes necessary 
that men associate together and form themselves into societies for the 
mutual support and happiness of eacli other; and such is the lot of human 
nature in this Imperfect state that it becomes Necessary for every society 
to form and adopt certain rules of government for the mutual happi- 
ness of the whole : Therefore with these views and Impressions We the 
subscribers agree to form ourselves into a society under the above pre- 
amble." 

Fifty persons joined the society thus formed. 

At a meeting held at the West meeting-house, March 26th, 
1821, Voted, " To pursue some Legal course until they obtain 
their privilege in the West meeting-house, and also their equal 
share of the parsonage Money." 



1840.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 241 

The town had erected the frame of the meeting-house in 1702 ; 
had sokl the pews, thus raising money for finishing the house. 
The pews were held mainly bj' those who belonged to the West- 
erly Religious Society and the Second Congregational Church 
[see p. 189], but those who had joined the Christian Union Soci- 
et}^ believed that they were entitled to share in the use of the 
house. The members of the Christian Union Society, who were 
pew-owners, believed that theirs was an equitable and valid 
claim, while those who were not pew-owners, but who were citi- 
zens, believed that their claim was equally valid by virtue of their 
citizenship, and the town's proprietary right in the frame. 

Negotiations were had between the two societies, and it was 
agreed by the committees that the Christian Union Society should 
have the use of the house six Sundays in the year. TJie agree- 
ment, however, was not, for some cause, ratified by either society. 
The Westerly Religious Society offered to sell their share of the 
house at 40 per cent, of the valuation, amounting to $352.27. Tlie 
offer was accepted, but there was a disagreement in regard to the 
note which the Christian Union Society proposed to give for the 
amount, and no transfer of the property was effected. 

The difference of opinion in regard to jurisdiction was carried 
into the courts. The decision of the Superior Court was, that the 
town could not exercise sole jurisdiction over a town meeting- 
house, when different societies or individuals owned pews therein. 

Pending this decision, however, the Christian Union Society 
resolved to occupy the meeting-house, which was done June loth 
and IGth, in connection with a session of the Christian General 
Conference. There was a large concourse of peojile from neigh- 
boring towns, and several elders of repute, as preachers in the de- 
nomination, were in attendance. 

The Christian Union Society took possession of the meeting- 
house at an early hour on Sunday morning, and Elder Peter 
Young was occupying the pulpit, wlien Rev. Mr. Price entered the 
house at the usual hour for public service. The assessors of the 
Westerly Religious Society made a formal demand for the house. 
There was some confusion, but no breach of the pultlic 2:)eace. 
The time had gone by for a compromise between the two societies, 
and the Westerly Religious Society resolved to erect a meeting- 

16 



242 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [1850. 

house for themselves, thus leaving the Union Society in undis- 
turbed and peaceable possession of the old house. 

As in most religious controversies, prejudices were engendered, 
which died oixt only when those who were participants in the 
events of the time passed away. But time has worn down the 
sharp antagonism of other days, and religious bodies, which were 
antipodal in faith and practice at the beginning of the century, 
now attend the same meeting, listen to the same preacher, and sit 
at the same communion. 

In 1844, the Christian Union Society voted to remodel the 
meeting-house, — flooring over the galleries, removing the east and 
west porches, and making a convenient chapel of the upper story, 
the lower floor being reserved for a town-house. All of the slips, 
— fifty-two in number, — with the exception of two, were sold. 

The society took on a new lease of life, and was vigorous and 
flourishing for several years ; but emigration thinned its member- 
ship, and since 1869 no regular service has been held by the de- 
nomination. 

THE CHRISTIAN BAPTIST CHUKCH. 

This church was formed in 1808, consisting of five male and 
seven female members. It was organized June 16th under the 
following compact : 

" This Church have agreed to lay aside all the party names by which 
professors are called, with all such things as are called Creeds, Cove- 
nants, Platforms, Articles of faith, with all the Commandments of men, 
and to consider Christ their only Master, and the New Testament their 
only Rule, and to be known by the name given at Antioch which is 
Christian. 

"The following are the names of the Brethren and sisters who were 
Baptised June 16th and being united in love, united in the above agree- 
ment and who stand ready to receive into their Company all who are 
willing to unite with them in the glorious name of Christ: 
David Sweatt, Martha Corser, 

James Corser, Meela Couch, 

Peltiah Gookin, Martha Gookin, 

John P. Sweatt, Betsey Hobbs, 

Joseph Couch, jr., Hannah Hobbs, 

Mrs. Trumbull, Mrs. Corser. 

"At the close of the year 1808 the church numbered twenty-five 
members." 



1850.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 243 

It has not been possible to obtain the names of all those who 

have held the office of elder. The list embraces the names of 

Peter Young, Wm. Blaisdell, 

David Harriman, Setli Ross, 

Kimball, Moses Scribner, 

Neheniiah Sleeper, Moses P. Favor, 

John Tilton, Wm. S. Morrill, 

Moses Polly, Simeon Roby. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, FISHERVILLE. 

The Congregational Church in Fisherville was organized Nov, 
G, 1850. Eev. Mr. Knight and other ministers were employed as 
j)reachers till 1857, when Rev. Albert Wm. Fiske was installed 
pastor May 20, and remained in that relation till Oct. 16, 1863. 

The second pastor, Rev. Wm. R. Jewett, was installed Sept. 16, 
18G.3, and dismissed Sept. 10, 1874. 

The third pastor. Rev. Marvin D. Bisbee, was installed Sept. 10; 
1874, dismissed April 10, 1877. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

In 1840 several individuals, who held to the tenets of the Bap- 
tist denomination, started a series of religious meetings in the 
various school districts. Rev. Mr. Peacock, a revivalist preacher 
of repute, was employed as preacher. The result of the move- 
ment was an awakening on the subject of religion, resulting in 
the formation of a church and societj', and the erection of a church 
edifice (see p. 206). No statistics have been preserved in regard 
to the numbers uniting with the church, which, after a brief ex- 
istence, was merged into the stronger church of the denomination 
in Fisherville. 

METHODIST CHURCH. 

In 1839, some of the residents of the west section of the town, 
who had adopted the religious tenets of the Methodist denomina- 
tion, formed a society, and erected the present meeting-house in 
Webster. Individuals not members of the society aided to some 
extent ; and, at the dedication of the edifice, Rev. Mr. Price and 
Rev. Mr. Buxton took part in the exercises, thus manifesting 
their good will towards the enterprise. 

At that time there was a Methodist theological school at Con- 



244 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [18G0. 

cord ill the old North Church, and the students of the school 
were relied upon to supply the pulpit. The church membership 
increased; but the same causes that diminished the membership of 
the other churches operated to weaken this, Avhich, together with 
the removal of the Theological Institute from Concord, made it 
impossible to sustain regular ministerial service. Only at inter- 
vals since 1860 has there been preaching. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 

In 1816 the first sunday-schools were established in Boscawen. 
They were held in the various school districts during the summer 
months, — in the school-house, or at private residences. The chil- 
dren recited verses from the Bible, standing in a class with their 
toes to a crack, and making their " manners " as in the week-day 
school. 

The ^Hipils were those under fourteen years of age. An effort 
was made to secure a general attendance, but the community did 
not readily accept the idea. Some excellent Christian people were 
opposed to having a school taught on Sunday. If not a desecra- 
tion of the day, it was a departure from the old ways. 

The number of scholars in 1824 in connection with the schools 
at the west end was ninety-seven, who recited 29,957 verses during 
the six months ending October 24th. ISTo schools were held in the 
winter. It is narrated, that one scholar of retentive memory tired 
out the patience of his teacher, reciting chapter after chapter, and 
was told that he might finish the recitation on the next Sunday. 

The first librarj' at the west end was purchased by Enoch Lit- 
tle, Jr., costing ^10. The books were passed from district to dis- 
trict, and were soon worn out by constant handling. 

The report for 1827 gives 5 superintendents, 159 scholars, 22 
Sabbath exercises, 30,117 verses recited in the schools at the west 
end. Kev. Mr. Price had a Bible-class of 73 members. Schools 
were also taught in the districts at the east end of the town. 

In 1831 the district system was given up, and the schools or- 
ganized into one, the sessions being held as now on Sunday noon 
in the meeting-house, the " Union Questions " taking the place of 
recitations from the Bible. 

No statistics have have been preserved in relation to the school 
connected with the church on the Plain. 




Methodist Meeting House, Webster. 



[1746. 



MILITARY HISTORY 



^ HE military liistory of Boscawen and Webster begins witli 
^^r tlie first " French and Indian war," in 1744, and is brouglit 
down to the close of the Rebellion, 1865, — a period of one hundred 
and twenty-one years. The military record is one of which every 
citizen, and every descendant of citizens, may justly be proud. 

In 1744, at the outbreak of the French war, Richard Flood 
served the Provincial government in some capacity, in the expedi- 
tion to Canada. It is not known tliat he went as a soldier. The 
only record of his service is a notice of his petition for aid fi'om 
the government, in the records of the Provincial committee, for 
service rendered in the expedition to Canada. 

The same year Philip Call served as a scout in Capt. Jeremiah. 
Clough's company, from Jan. 21 to March 18, receiving £2 10s. 
Capt. Clough lived in Canterbury, and was a leading citizen of 
that town. 

Captain John Clough commanded a company in Penacook at 
the same time, of which Xathaniel Rix was a soldier. 

In 1746, Captain John Goffe, of Bedford, commanded a com- 
pany of scouts, in which Joseph Eastman, Jr., Dea. Jesse Flan- 
der.s, his brother, John Flanders, Jr., and Wm. Corser served as 
privates thirty-seven days, having been called out by the attacks 
of the Indians on Penacook and Contoocook, killing Thomas Cook, 
and capturing Ciiesar, Rev. Mr. Stevens's negro. 

Later in the season Capt. Ladd arrived [see Civil Hist., p. 43] 
with a company, in which Philip Flanders, Joseph Eastman, and 



246 MILITARY HISTORY. [1754. 

Jacob Flanders enlisted. In this company was Robert Rogers, 
afterwards the celebrated ranger. 

At the same time Philip Call was doing duty in Capt. Clongh's 
company, being out one hundred and lifty-four days, receiving 
£8 13s. 3p. 

In 1747, Capt. Clough of Canterbury was out from the 5th of 
Januar}^ to the 12th of November. Philip Call and John Man- 
uel served under him, receiving £16 10s. lOp., besides provisions 
and ammiinition. Upon the return of this company, Capt. Eben- 
ezer Eastman, of Concord, began a winter campaign, being out 
with his company from iSTov. 14, 1747, to May 9th, 1748. Rev. 
Phineas Stevens served as a private. In all probability he 
preached on Sunday to the soldiers in camp. 

In 1748, Capt. Goffe was scouting the frontier with a company 
in which William Corser served as private. At the same time, 
Capt. Moses Fostei*, of Suncook, was ranging the frontier with a 
company, of which Rev. Mr. Whittemore, minister of Pembroke, 
was lieutenant. Ezekiel Flanders, killed in 1756 at Newfound 
lake by the Indians, served in this company one month, from 
June 6 to July 7 [See Civil Hist.] 

Peace having been made between England and France, there 
was no further need of military service till 1754, when the Indians 
again began their depredations, killing William Stinson, and 
taking John Stark and Eastman prisoners on Baker's river, cap- 
turing the Meloon family of Salisbury, and killing Mrs. Philip 
Call and Timothy Cook, in Stevenstown. [See Civil Hist.] 

Military service was no longer confined to the Merrimack val- 
ley ; — the theatre of war was transferred to the upper Hudson 
and the lakes. Col. Blanchard commanded a regiment, in which 
Benjamin [Eastman, of Boscawen, enlisted under Capt. John 
Goffe, serving from April 24th to Oct. 23d. 

One company was commanded by Capt. Thomas Tash, of Dur- 
ham, in which John Corser enlisted. Capt. Joseph Eastman 
commanded another company, in which Winthrop Carter, Moses 
Manuel, Samiiel Manuel, Joseph Eastman, Andrew Bohonnon, 
AVilliam Jackman, and John Fowler served. 

Another regiment was commanded by Col. Nathaniel Folsom. 
Upon the muster-roll is the name of Nathaniel jNIeloon, son of the 
first settler of that name in Contoocook. 



1775.] MILITARY HISTORY. 247 

111 the Crown Point expedition, Jolm Fowler, Joel Manuel, and 
Joseph Eastman served, under Captain John Goffe. 

In 1758, Daniel Shepherd and Philip Flanders served in Capt. 
Ladd's company, Col. Hart's regiment, sent to Crown Point. 
Nathaniel Meloon served in Capt. Todd's company. 

In Eev, Mr. Price's history, it is stated that Philip Flanders 
was killed at Crown Point in 1756, which is manifestly an error, 
his name apjiearing on the muster-roll from April 21 to November 
1, 1758, on which day he probably was killed. 

FROM 1760 TO 1775. 

There is no record to show the military organization in the 
town from the close of the French war in 1760 to the beginning 
of the Revolution in 1775. The law required all able-bodied men, 
between sixteen and sixty, to be enrolled in the train bands. A 
town containing thirty-two men liable to do militaiy duty could 
have a military organization of its own. There being more than 
that number of soldiers in the town, it had a "train band.'' 

The news of the battle of Lexington reached Boscawen on the 
20th of April, and the next morning Capt. Henry Gerrish and 
his soldiers were on the march. 

DIARY OF CAPT. HEXRY'^ GERRISH. 

" Fryday 21 April 1775. 
" Set out for Cambridge with Lieut Call, Sargent Carter. Esq 
Fowler, Edmund Chadwick, John Flanders, John Stevens, Natlianiel 
Barbank, Samuel Jackman, David Flanders, Charles Greenfield, Peter 
Roswell Stevens, Israel Shepard, Isaac Davis, Edward Gerald, & 
arrived at Cambridge on Sunday & all tarried till Tuesday & then Esq 
Fowler set out for home, on Wensday Lieut Call, Winthrop Carter & 
Nathaniel Atkinson set out for home [Nathaniel Atkinson and prob- 
ably other soldiers had joined the company between Friday and 
Wednesday] & there joined our company on Wensday morning Will- 
iam Forrest, Timothy Foss, Jeremiah Gibson, Aaron Sargeant, John 
Been, John Rains, Abraham Fyfield, Joseph Loverin, Moses Welsh." 

These last were f)robably citizens of Salisbury. 

Some of the Boscawen soldiers, in common with those of other 
towns, soon returned home, while others hastened to Cambridge 
to fill their places. Those from Boscawen enlisted in Capt. 



248 MILITARY HISTORY. [1775. 

Josluia Alibot's compan}^, Col. Stark's regiment. Capt. ALbot 
was a citizen of Concord, well known to the Boscawen men. He 
had served in the French war, and was a brave and gallant officer. 
Samuel Atkinson [see Biography] was elected lieutenant, and 
Samuel Corser and Nathan Davis corporals. They had all confi- 
dence in their colonel, John Stark, who had seen hard service in 
the last war against the French and Indians. 

The term of enlistment was for eight months, beginning 
April 23d. Tlie regiment was quartered at Medford. On the 
morning of June 17th, Col. Stark received a despatch from Gen. 
Ward, ordering him to send a battalion to the relief of Col. Pres- 
cott, who was throwing np the earthworks on Bunker hill, and 
Lieut. Col. Wyman was despatched with about 200 men, — prob- 
ably three companies of sixty-six men each. The detachment left 
Medford between nine and ten o'clock. At noon, another message 
came, ordering the remainder of the regiment to march. It was 
between twelve and one when Col. Stark started, and past two 
when he reached the rail fence by the Mystic river, on the eastern 
slope of Bunker hill, a position chosen In^ himself. His practised 
eye and knowledge of military tactics saw that the movement of 
the British commander wonld be to gain the rear of the redoubt 
by marching along the Mystic. 

Col. Reed's regiment, from the south-western part of the state, 
had arrived in camp three days before. The popularity of Stark had 
given him twelve companies, but two of them had been transferred 
to Eeed. Both regiments were full, or nearly so, together number- 
ing about one thousand. In addition, a company from Hollis 
was serving in Prescott's Massachusetts regiment [see Hist. 
Hollis]. Other citizens of Kew Hampshire were in Massachu- 
set s' service, making the total number from this state nearly 
elev. n hundred. 

The advance of the British was against the rail fence. We 
may think of the citizens of Boscawen as stationed a few rods 
from the Mystic, behind the barricade of hay which they have 
laid against the fence. Their commander orders them to re- 
serve their fire till the enemy are within eight rods. Then there 
is a iiash, a rattle, a roar : the soldiers of the king go down 
in heaps. Consternation seizes them, and they flee to their land- 
ing-place. A second time their ranks are decimated. The third 



1775.] MILITARY HISTORY. 249 

attack is against the redoubt, and, witli the faikire of ammunition 
on tlie part of the Americans, the British gain an entrance. 
The troops at the fence are tlie last to retreat. Only when the 
day is lost do they retire, Joseph Couch and another soldier bring- 
ing off a wounded comrade. 

BOLL OF HOXOR AT BUNKER HILL. 

Those engaged in the battle of Bunker hill from Boscawen 



were : 



OP'FICERS. 



Atkinson, Samuel, Lieut. Corser, Samuel, Corp. 

Call, Moses, " Davis, Nathan, " 

PRIVATES. 

Burbank, David Davis, Isaac 

Buibank, Nathaniel Danforth, Joshua 

Burbaiik, Moses, jr. Eliot, John 

Bovvley, John Flanders, John 

Chadwick, Edmund Flanders, David 

Curser, William Flanders, Jesse, Dea. 
Corser, Asa 

In Capt. Aaron Kinsman's company, John Manuel, who was 

killed ; in Capt. company, Joseph Couch, who Avas wounded 

on the retreat by a spent cannon ball. 

The following receipt is in possession of Luke Corser, Esq. : 

"Boscawen May 24: 1775 
" Recieved of David Corser of Boscawen a Gun marked on the 
Britch W. C. B which (iun I have Recieved for the use of the sobers 
Now in the County Sarvice who went from Boscawen under the com- 
mand of Capt Abbot in order to Defend the country against the Troops 
under General Gage Now at Boston. Recieved by me 

" Samuel Atkinson." 
'• W. C. B " undoubtedly means William Corser, Boscawen. He 
was an uncle of David Corser, who gave him 100 acres of land, on 
Pleasant street, for the gun. 

EXPEDITION TO QUEBEC. 

In September, volunteers were called for to join Arnold's expe- 
dition to Quebec up the Kennebec river, an expedition attended 



250. MILITARY HISTORY. [1775. 

b}^ terrible harcTsliips, resulting in failure, the capture of nearly 
all of Arnold's command, and the death of Gen. Montgomery. 

Dea. Jesse Flanders, John Flanders, Jr., and Nicholas Davis 
enlisted in Capt. Henry Dearborn's command, and were captured 
in the attack upon Quebec. They were kept in irons a short 
time, liberated on parole in August, 1776, and reached Kew York 
by sea September 25. 

While in prison John Flanders kept a diary, which has been in 
part preserved. It contains a record of the weather from the first 
week in January, 1776, to April 25, together with a few items of 
interest, mostly written in cypher, the key to which has been dis- 
covered. 

JOHX FLAN^DERS'S DIARY. 

" Jeny 3d 1776 

Cloudy & snowy in the morning & cleared off at Night we had 1 
pint of water 1 pound of Boild Kice 1 pound of Brown Bread | pound 
Pork. 

Jenuy 4 It snowed in the Morning blowy all Day we had 2 ounces of 
Butter 9 ounces pork 1 pound of l>rown Bread 

Jan 5 we have very good allowance salt maccaril with Butter 

15 a Violent Coald Snow Storm 

16 fair weather 

17 Snowed all Day and the Night Before 
IS cloudy & Look Likely for Snow & Cold 

19 Clondy & Somthing Cold 

20 Snowed a littel the prisnors made to ascape & two was put in 
irons 

21 Somting Modrit But cloudy Last night six of the sogers made 
thair acape five of the prisonrs that was Listed in thair Sarvies one that 
Belongd to tham thay offered five Soos [souf'] to any Body that would 
Return him. 

March 27 clear and cold 

28 raw cold but Plasant sun 

29 clear and a warm sun."' 

The diary here begins in cypher. 

"boutat hist imew Eware desint omakeo uras Capeas w Ecouldg 
oto ti." 

[Translation.] 

"Bout at this time we ware designed to make our escape as we could 
go to ti (Ticonderoga). 



1776.] MILITARY HISTORY. 251 

31 " tha yfound clou tour desin eand d\v Ewar etliratne du st opu tu 
si niron S t ha y pu tal 1th E Sar gen sta iido opril si nirons." 

[Translation.] 
"Tliay found out our desine and we ware thratned to put us in 
irons they put all the sargents and corprils in irons." 

" April 1 the first day of A [April] I was put in irons with the rest 
of my company and many others." 

The prisoners were released on parole, August ], were taken 
to New York by ship, and arrived in Boscawen September 25. 

In December, 1775, additional soldiers were called for, and Nich- 
olas Elliot, Moses Burbank, Benjamin Webster, and David Carter 
served during the winter in the siege of Boston. 

177G. During the 3'ear soldiers were called for, for the defence 
of Ticonderoga from the threatened attack of Sir Guy Carleton, 
and twenty-three men enlisted. 

L'eut. Enoch Gerrisli, Joshua Danford, 

Thomas Carter, Isaac Davis, 

Daniel Carter, Lt. Samuel Fowler, 

John Jackmau, Dea. Joseph Iloit, 

James Gerald (died). Col. Henry Gerrish, 

Joseph Pearson, Charles Greenfield, 

John Muzzy, John Hale, 

John Flanders, Samuel Jackman, 

Friend Little, Phineas Stevens (died), 

Thomas Beadle, Nathaniel Burbank, 

Joseph Atkinson, Joseph Couch. 

Nathaniel Atkinson, 

NEW YOKK CAMPAIGN. 

Upon the evacuation of Long Island by Gen. Washington the 

militia were called out in the eastern colonies. Boscawen sent 
eight soldiers. 

Capt. Peter Kimball, Moses Morrill, 

*^Lt. Benjamin Jackman, Daniel Richards, 

Ens. Samuel Ames, Samuel Jackman, 

Bitfield Plummer, Cutting Noyes. 

WINTER CAMPAIGN. 

Boscawen furnished three soldiers for the winter campaign on 
the Hudson — Lieut. Winthrop Carter, John Uran, Samuel Bur- 
bank. 



252 MILITARY HISTORY. [1777. 

Col. Henry Gerrisli was in the service of the starte obtaining 
supplies. 

" BoRcawen February 1, 1776. 
Received of Henry Gerrisli one Hundred & sixty six Blankets, Fifty 
seven tin Kittles & one Barrel of spirits which I promise to Deliver Maj'' 
Cavis of Rumney for Col Israel Morey. 

Elisha Bean." 

"Reced of Coll Henry Gerrish one Hundred ami eitrlity one pounds, 
fourteen shillings L m [lawful money] to pay Thirty Three Men which 
I am ordered to raise out of my Regiment to reinforce the army at New 
York their advance pay and Billetting, which men are to serve till the 
first day of March next unless sooner discharged. 

December 10"' 1776. 

Thomas Stickney." 

1777. 

PREPARIXG FOR THE CAMPAIOX. 

3Iay. At a town-meeting held the last Monday in May, voted 
" to raise sixty pounds to pa}' the four men hired by said town to 
serve in tlie continental ami}' for the term of tliree years." 

A committee was apj^ointed "to join the military officers in 
making draughts of men as may be wanted from time to time for 
the Continental service." 

Voted, That the selectmen " raise a tax so large that there be sixty 
pounds left after the proportional part of those who have done service 
is abated." 

The selectmen addressed a letter to the Committee of Safety : — 

" Boscawen May 17, 1777 
Gentlemen 

In consequence of Express orders, the Town of Boscawen is this Day 
assembled & called on by the Capt of said town that each man be im- 
mediately a Quipt according to law and as there is found wanting a 
Number of Fire Arms Amnmnition &c we have Imployed Capt Samuel 
Atkinson and Mr. Joseph Gerrish to procure the same. We Desire 
yovxr favor if thare be any guns in store to be purchased that you would 
give Capt Atkinson your advice & assistance & also a quantity of lead. 
Mr. Atkinson will be able to inform you of the Number of arms & 
Quantity of lead wanted to a Quip said Town & your Favor herein will 
Gi'eatly oblige your Humble Sarvents, 



George Jackman ) ^ i i. 

^ ,,P T.T - belectmen 

Cutting JNoyes ) 



To the Committee oi\ 
Safety at Exeter." j 



1777.] MILITARY HISTORY. 253 



BENNIXGTOX CAMPAIGN. 

Orders from Col. Thomas Stickney, -who lived in Concord, 
readied Capt. Kimball July 1, to be ready with his company to 
march at a minute's warning to oppose Gen. Burgoyne, who was 
advancing from Canada to Lake Cliamplain. Cajjt. Kimball's 
company marched July 4th. 

CAPT. Kimball's diary. 

"July 1st 1777 orders came from Col Stickney to me to muster and 
Equip one Quarter part of the Company to march at a minits warning 
and in conseriuence of the same we met to git the men. 

"July 4 orders came to march 13 men Immediately to tie [Ticonder- 
oga]. 

"saterday we marcht to perrytown [Sutton] and Logedthare. 

" Sunday G we marcht to Unity and Loged tliare. 

" ]Monday 7 we marcht to Xo 4 and Loged thare & drawd 4 Day al- 
lowance. 

'' tuesday 8 we marcht to Cavendysh and Loged thare. 

" Wendesy 9 we marcht to No. 4 again 

" thursday lOtli we marcht to Unity and Loged 

''fryday 11 we marcht liome." 

The men engaged in this service were, — 

Col. Henry Gerrish, George Jackman, Jr., 

Capt. Peter Kimball, John Morrill, 

Capt. Peter Coffin, Dea. Isaac Pearson, 

Lieut. Enoch Gerrish, Daniel Chirk, 

Lieut. Moses Call, Daniel Shepherd, 

Nathan Corser, John Manuel, 

Samuel Clifford, Michael Sargent, 

Dea. Jesse Flanders, James French, 

Enos Flanders, Benjamin Sweatt, 

Nathaniel Atkinson, Moses Jackman. 
Simeon Atkinson, 

Men were called for to go to Coos, and six men sent as'the 
town's quota. 

Capt. Samuel Atkinson, William Danford, 

Jeremiah Hidden, Jedidiah Danforth, 

Moses Morse, George Jackman. 



254 MILITARY HISTORY. [1777. 

These soldiers, and hundreds of others from the adjoining towns, 
turned about, after being out a few days, upon receipt of the news 
that Ticonderoga had been evacuated. They were ordered to re- 
turn home. The astounding news confronted Col. Gerrish's com- 
mand at Cavendish. 

Ticonderoga was evacuated on tlie night of the 6th of Julj-, — 
the day that the Boscawen troops were passing through Unity. 
The next morning, when they were on their way to Charlestown, 
the British advance was falling upon Col. Warner at Hubbard- 
ton. 

The Vermont Committee of Safety, sitting at Manchester, sent 
a post-rider to New Hampshire. 

" New Hampshire will be the frontier state if we are driven 
out," they said. 

The N. H. Assembly had been in session at Exeter, but had 
adjourned. The Committee of Safety sitting there were prompt 
to act. The letter from Vermont was written the 8th, and on the 
17th of July the New Hampshire Assembly was in session. What 
was to be done? The militia would turn out at a moment's no- 
tice, — but who would pay them? who command them? Then 
came the patriotic speech of John Langdon, offering all his cash, 
all his silver plate to be melted up, all his Tobago rum, three 
hundred hogsheads, to be sold. It set the Assembly on fire, 
kindling anew their patriotic ardor. The militia was reorganized. 
Whipple of Portsmouth and John Stark of Amoskeag were ap- 
pointed brigadiers. Orders were sent to Stark to take the field. 

Stark was on his farm. He had done well for his country, but 
had been superseded, and had retired from the service, feeling 
that he had not been fairl.y dealt with ; but he accepted the commis- 
sion. His orders enabled him to act independently. He was to 
defend the frontier. Messengers carried his orders post haste to 
his subordinates. 

Capt. Peter Kimball was at work on his farm at Queen street. 
He probably received his orders on the 22d, for his company was 
on the march on the 24th, the rendezvous being at Salisbury. 

The next night they reached Saville (Sunapee). The fourth 
day they reached Charlestown. Gen. Stark was there, sending 
forward supplies, — directing the troops, as they came in, to move 
on to Manchester, Vermont. He was fretting over the want o^ 



1777. j 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



255 



bullet moulds. He had only one mould for tlie whole army, hut 
that was kept going night and day. 

A full company consisted of 60 men. Capt. Kimball marched 
from Boscawen with 22, but four others joined him, making 26 
from Boscawen. The Concord soldiers, under Lieut. Richard 
Herbert, joined him on the march. The company was thus or- 
ganized : 



Capt. Peter Kimball, 
Lieut. Richard Herbert, 
Ensign Andrew Pettengil, 
Segt. Jesse Abbot, 
Segt. Abner Flanders, 
Segt. William Danforth, 
Serg. Nathan Davis, 
Corp. Richard Flood, 
Corp. Lavid Burbank, 
Corp. John Abbot, 
Corp. Theodore Farnum, 
Fifer Ellas Abbot, 
Drummer Asa Corser, 



PRIVATES. 



Stephen Abbot, 
Ezra Abbot, 
Benjamin Ambrose, 
Jonathan Ambrose, 
Peter Blanchard, 
Wells Burbank, 
Thomas Beedle, 
Philbrick Bradley, 
Jonathan Corser, 
David Corser, 
Daniel Carter, 
i/' Nathan Carter, 
Abner Chase, 
Simeon Danforth, 
Elknah Danforth, 
Timothy Danforth, 
Reuben Diamond, 
Benjamin Elliot, 
James French, 
Jesse Flanders, 



Boscawen. 

Concord. 

Salisbury. 

Concord. 

(.1 

Boscawen. 

Concord. 

Boscawen. 

Concord. 



Boscawen. 



Concord 



Boscawen. 

Concord. 
Boscawen. 



Concord. 
Boscawen. 

(( 

Concord. 

(( 

Boscawen. 



256 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



[177< 



Ephraim Fisk, Jr., 
Israel Glines, 
Solomon Gage, 
David George, 
Cliarles Greenfield, 
John Hutcliins, 
Samuel Ilickson, 
Abial Hall, 
Jedidiah Hoit, 
Timotliy Jackman, 
"William Jackman, 
John Jackman, 
Timothy Johnson, 
Benjamin Little, 
Friend Little, 
Samuel Morse, 
Isaac Pearson, 
John Peters, 
Anthony Potter, 
Phineas Stevens, 
"William Symonds, 
Simon Trumbull, 
Daniel Uran, 
Gilman West, 



Concord. 
(( 

ti 

Boscawen. 
(. 

Concord. 

a 

Boscavven. 



Concord. 
Boscawen. 



Concord. 



Boscawen. 
Concord. [57] 



]\[ancliester, west of the Green ^Mountains, was the rendezvous ; 
and the Boscawen troops reached that town on Thursday, July 
31st. Col. Stickney arrived on the 3d of August, and Gen. 8tark 
on the 6th. 

A large number of the people of western Vermont were loyal to 
the Crown, and the property of Tories was liable to confiscation. 
Gen. Stark accordingly despatched Lt. Col. Emerson with a bat- 
talion to Rutland to obtain cattle and other sujiplies. Capt. Kim- 
ball's company formed a part of the battalion. 

The expedition started on the 8th of August, marched to Eut- 
land, secured two hogsheads of rum, a quantitj' of maple sugar, 
and a herd of cattle. 

Events were ripening. Burgoyne was at Stillwater, on the 
Hudson, flushed with success, and wanting only horses to enable 
him to push on. He accordingly directed Col. Baum to move 
across the state to Cliarlestown, go down the Connecticut to Brat- 




o 

o 



03 



m 



1777.] MILITARY HISTORY. 257 

tleborough, and return through Massachusetts, and join him at 
Albany. His Tory friends informed him that the inhabitants 
were loyal, and that on the appearance of the troops they would 
declare their allegiance. 

On the morning of the 12th, while the Boscawen troops were at 
Rutland, fifty-five miles north of Bennington, the expedition of 
Col. Baum started from Stillwater, and marched a short distance. 
Burgoyne's whole force was on the east bank of the Hudson. 
Baum's command was composed of Hessians, British, Canadians, 
Tories, and Indians, and numbered about 800 in all. He marched 
on the 13th to Cambridge, sixteen miles from the Hudson. He 
sent out a party, who captured fifteen Vermont men, who were tak- 
ing supplies to Gates, — cattle, horses, and carts, — which he sent to 
Biirgoyne, with the information that eighteen hundred rebels 
were at Bennington. This was an exaggeration, Stark's force at 
that time being less than fifteen hundred. 

Stark was ignorant of the advance of Baum. The ten men 
who escaped reported seeing only Indians and Tories ; and Stark, 
on the 14th, sent Lieut. Col. Gregg towards Cambridge with two 
hundred men, to stop the marauders. 

On the morning of the 14th, the Boscawen troops were ten 
miles north of Manchester, fully thirty-five miles from Benning- 
ton, marching southward with their rum, sugar, and cattle. At 
the same time Baum was breaking up his encampment at Cam- 
bridge, and moving on to Bennington. Gregg at the same time 
was going with his two hundred men to Cambridge. 

Baum reached Van Schaik's mill about 8 o'clock, and encoun- 
tered Gregg. A few volleys were fired, and Gregg fell back, hav- 
ing first broken down the bridge across the Walloomsic, which 
Baum was obliged to rebuild. He sent a despatch to Burgoyne : 
" I will proceed so far to-day as to fall on the enemy to-morrow 
early." 

Intelligence of what was going on reached Stark, who advanced 
to support Gregg ; but not finding a good place to make a stand, 
he fell back to Bennington. 

Baum selected a position on a hill, and went into camp, send- 
ing a messenger to Burgoyne for reinforcements, who detached 
Col. Breyman with five hundred of his best troops and two pieces 
of artillery, to aid him. 

17 



258 MILITARY HISTORY. [1777. 

On the evening of the 14th, while Baum is in camp, the Bos- 
cawen troops are at Manchester, twenty-five miles distant. The 
remnant of Col. Warner's Vermont regiment, which fought nobly 
at Hiihbardton, is also at Manchester, though Warner himself is 
at Bennington. At this same moment, a few Berkshire militia — 
ahont 150 — under Symonds, accompanied by Rev. Mr. Allen of 
Pittsfield, are on the march from Williamstown. 

August 15. The rain pours in torrents, but the Boscawen men 
are making the twenty-five miles between Manchester and Ben- 
nington. We may imagine them toiling along the forest road, 
reaching Bennington at night, hungry, weary, drenched. Almost 
at the same time the Berkshire troops arrive, and Parson Allen 
hastens to Gen. Stark's tent. 

" General," says the bluff preacher, *' the people of Berkshire 
have frequently been called ujjon to fight, but never have had a 
chance ; and we have resolved, if you will not let us fight now, 
never to turn out again." 

*' Do you want to go now, in the rain, at midnight ? " 

" No." 

" Well, if the Lord gives us sunshine once more, and I don't 
give you fighting enough, I won't ask you to turn out again." 

The morning of the 16th was calm and serene, the sky without 
a cloud. The Boscawen soldiers dried their clothes, and prepared 
for the battle. 

Stark, Warner, and Ashley reconnoitre Baum's position. 
Warner is a citizen of Bennington, and is familiar with every 
locality. 

Noon comes. Stark is a mile or more east of Baum's entrench- 
ment, on the east side of the Walloomsic river. He sends Stick- 
ney and Hobart with two hundred men to attack one hundred 
Tories, entrenched on a hillock by the river to hold the bridge 
which crosses the stream. 

He sends Col. Herrick with three hundred men to the rear of 
Baum, to attack from the west. Col. Nichols marches with three 
hundred men to attack from the north. Stickney and Hobart 
will attack from the south, and Stark himself from the east. 

Three o'clock. Herrick has made a long march through the 
woods, but has reached his position. Stickney, with the Bos- 
cawen, Concord, Loudon, Salisbury, Hopkinton, and Henniker 



L ^ %: ^ 1^ i» r» ia . 













^^•^ • >*=^^T- ' '■^ ■ ->'• ^ .. s- ■■-..;•■■ ;f "•■'• ••'■7) ;°.t-- (•.•.' ^-^ <-»-' <....- 



.^' rrj^f •c .rr 






260 MILITARY HISTORY. [1777. 

troops, is emerging from the woods in front of the Tories. Each 
man has a corn-husk in his hat, for the Tories, like themselves, 
are in citizens' dress, and every man with a corn-husk in his hat 
is a friend ; all others are foes. 

Beyond Stickney are the Pl3'mouth, Eridgewater, and New 
Chester men, under Hohart. 

Then comes a rattle from Herrick's guns. Nichols takes it up. 
The Boscawen men, emerging from the cornfield, confront the 
Tories behind the breastwork by the bridge. Stark, with the 
main body, comes out into an open field. We hear his laconic 
speech : " There are the red-coats. They must be ours before 
night, or Molly Stark sleeps a widow ! " 

No need to repeat the household story — how the battle waxed 
hot and fierce ; how Stickney drove the Tories from their shelter. 
how the patriots pressed on, undaunted by the roar of Baum's 
cannon ; how, at last, destitute of bayonets, they charged up the 
hill, leaped over the breastworks, seized the cannon, overwhelm- 
ing the Hessians, trampling them beneath their feet ! 

On what page of history can there be found a counterpart to 
their heroism? — farmers, knowing nothing of war, destitute of 
bayonets, armed only with muskets and fowling-pieces, charging 
the veteran troops of England and Germany in their entrench- 
ments ! 

The troops disperse to collect plunder. Only a handful of the 
enemy have escaped. Baum is mortally wounded. The troops 
are exulting over the victory. They are filling their canteens 
with rum, from a cask which Stark has ordered up, when there is 
a sudden change of scene. Breyman, with his five hundred fresh 
troops and two pieces of cannon, appears, stung to the quick 
over the disaster. They open with their cannon. Not a regi- 
ment nor a company of Stark's command is in line. But there 
is quick rallying. Men do not stop to find their companies, but 
fall in where they are. The battle begins, fiercer than ever. The 
Americans are driven ; but at last Warner's men, one hundred and 
forty in number, appear upon the field. They are smarting over 
their defeat at Hubbardton. Their coming turns the scale. 
The British ranks waver, and finally break. A panic seizes the 
soldiers, who flee, throwing away their guns and equipments. 
The Americans follow them till night, and then return to gather 
•up the spoils. 



1777.] MILITARY HISTORY, 261 

The British loss is two hundred and seven killed and woixnded, 
seven hundred prisoners, seven hundred stand of arms, four can- 
non, and a great amount of plunder, — in all, a loss of about one 
thousand men. The American loss was thirty killed and forty 
wounded. 

Historians, in these later years, recognize Bennington as the 
turning-point of the American Revolution. Burgoyne's fate was 
decided there. With the failure of his expedition came the alli- 
ance of the United States with France, — resulting in the inde- 
pendence of the colonies. 

So, on that historic field, twenty-six citizens of Boscawen aided 
in securing to the world the right of man to self-government. 

CAPT. TETEK KIMBALl's DIARY. 

'' July 24th raarcht to Salsbury with 22 men and Loged in order for 
No. 4 [Cliarlestown]. 

" fryday 25th we marclit to sevil and Loged thare. 

'' Saturday 2Glh we marclit to Mr. Grout's at No 4 Loged thare. 

" Sunday 27th we niarcht to town [Charlestown] and Drawd 4 Days 
allowance. 

'' Monday 28 we marcht about 4 mile and Loged at Rockingham. 

" tuesdy 29 we marcht to Kent and Loged thare. 

" Wendsdey30 we marcht to Brumley & Loged at Capt Kelleys. 

'• tliiirsdey 31 we marclit over the green mountains to manchester to 
Head Quarters & Loged thare. 

" fryday august 1st we Drawd 2 days allowance. Nothing extraor- 
dinary hapened this Day. 

'' saterdy 2 the scouts beat in a Drove of cattle. A rainy Day. 

" Sunday 3(1 Col Stickney came into camp in the Rain, 

" JVIondey 4th nothing extraordinary hapened this Day. Abner Chace 
joined our company. 

'' tuesdy 5th sim Danford come in and joined us. 

' Wendsdy 6th general Stark come in. 

"tiiursdy 7 orders came for a scout to go to the crick [Otter Creek]. 
Lt Col [Emerson] 1 Capt [Kimball] 4 sub 83 officers [privates?] en- 
cluded paraded at the generals at 7 o'clock evening. Dismist & ordered 
to meet at 7 oclock in the morning. 

" trydy 8th marcht about lOO men for the crick. Col Emerson com- 
manded, niarcht 10 or 12 miles campt at Danbury. 

" Saterdy 9tii marcht about 3 miles and Brakfast at a tory house then 
marcht to Dedham & campt. 



262 MILITARY HISTORY. [1777. 

.*' Sundy 10th we marcht to Rutland took 2 hogsheads of Rum & 
marcht b.ick to Dedham and Loged tliare. 

" monday 11th sent a party & found 2 barrels of rum & some whugar 

" tuesdy 12th we marcht to fisks and Loged. Alarm was made. 

" Wendsdy 13 we marcht and campd with the Drove and cargo. 

"thursdy 14th we marcht to Manchester 

" frydy 15 we marcht to Bennington 

" Saterday 16 we formed the Brigade & liad a battle with the enemy 
in whicii I Received a slite wound. 

'' Sandy 17 I went & viewed the ground where the Battle was & re- 
turned to camp, and Laid in camp all Day. 

" Mondy 18 we Lay in the camp sent out scouts Berried some Dead 

" tuesday 19th I went to town to see the sick & wounded. Rote a 
Letter to send home. 

'' wensday 20 we Lay in our camp & I v/ent & viewed the ground 
where the battle was. 

" Thursdy 21 we left tlie Lines & marcht about 2 mile & Quartered 
in a liarn at one abbots. 

"■fryday22 we Lay in the barn. Notl)ing extraordinary hapened 
this Day. 

" Saterdey 23 I went to town to see the sick and wounded. 

" Sunday 2-ith I went to see the sick to town the afternoon went to 
meeting. 

" monday 25th I went to town to the Vandue of the plunder. 

" tuesday 26 sarch was made for plunder in the company. 

" Wensday Aug 27 I went to Vandue. 

" thursday 28 Nothing extraordinary hapened this day. 

" fry day 29 I went to Vandue. 

" Saterday 80 I went to see the ground where the battle was witli Lt 
Center & Dr flanders, & the soldiers come in from Boscawen [another 
company that arrived after the battle]. 

" Sunday 31 major Head Died about Sun Rise. Burried at Evening. 

"Sept Monday 1st we built a Booth to drink tody in. 

" tuesday 2 timothy Johnson had a disciiarge from the army 

" wensday, 3d timothy Johnson went of home 

'' thursday 4th I went to Vandue & bot a hatian [Hessian] gun for 
49 shillings 

'' frydey 5 ordered to be ready to march to Ranzelers mills, and I 
■went 10 town and saw the Bayraen [Breymen prisoners] march for 
manchester. 

" Saterdey 6 we marcht to st Coyce & Barrickt [barracked] thare. 

" Sunday 7th I went to Head Quarters and Drank some whiskey at 
Ranclyes seller [Rensselaer's cellar]. 



1777.] MILITARY HISTORY. 263 

*' Monrlay 8th nothing extraordinary hapened this Day. 

"tue^dey 9th orders came to hold ourselves in Rediness to march to- 
morrow morning by Sun Rise for Still water. 

" weiidsdey Idth we marcht to Cambridge and Loged 

" thursday 11 we marclit to Still water and canipt the East side of 
North River Thare I saw Nehemiah Carlton 

"fryday 12 we marcht over the River and campt on the West side. 

" saterdey 13 orders came to march and we swung our packs and 
marcht about 3 miles & joined the continental army & campt in the 
wood. 

" Sundy 14th I went through the Encampment to see my acquaint- 
ance, thare I saw Nehemiah Carlton and in the afternoon Mr. Ilibbert 
preacht a sermon. 

"Mondey l-5th orders came to parade the Regt & accordingly we was 
paraded & Col Ashley told us that it was the Desire of Genl Gates that 
we should stay one month Longer & he would give ten Dollars a man 
& the men seemed Not inclined to stay on that consideration & at night 
General Stark came into camp. 

" tuesdey 16th Nothing extraordinai-y Hapened this Day. 

"Wendsday 17 we Lay in our camp 

"thursdy 18 I Left the camp & marcht to Benningtown & Loged at 
Mr Abbot's. 

" frydey 19. I went to town & gut the plunder money for the com- 
pany £1 — 13 — 7 — which was in the Benningtown fight of my com- 
pany 

" Saterdey 20th marcht to Shaftsbury & gut Brakfast from thence to 
Manchester & gut dinner then to the mountains & Campt 

" Sundey 21 marcht to Capt Ritty's gut Brakfast then to Kint 
[Kent?] at Dr aeons & oged thare 

" mondey 22d we marcht to No 4 & Loged at Col Hunts. 

" tuesdy 23d I marcht to Unity and Loged at Capt Huntoon's 

" Wensd}'' 24 I marcht to Perrytown and Loged thare. 

" Thursdy 25 I gut home. 

"The plunder money at Bennington Divided to 2250 men. 

" A Return of the killed & wounded General Starks Brigade in ye ac- 
tions at Benningtown. 

" Col Hubbert Regt 3 killed 7 wd 

" Col Nichols Regt 9 killed 13 wd 

" Col Stickney Regt 2 killed 18 wd 

"total 14 killed 38 wd 



264 MILITARY HISTORY. [1777. 

" ITEMS. 

" Charlestown July 28 1777 

£ s. p. 
*' paid for clove water for the company — 10 — 6 

paid for brandy — 9 — 

Lieut Harbert paid for Bread — 1 — 

Capt paid for Bread — 1 — 

" Benningtown August 31 
"Capt Webster Dr to 0—12—0 

Paid to Daniel Uran.'' 

This was Capt. Ebenezer Webster of Salisbury, father of Dan- 
iel and Ezeldel. 

£ s. 

" Paid for Sargt Abbot 0—3—0—0 

Elk. Dan ford Dr 0—3—6 

Asa Corser Dr — 6 — 

Wm Jackman Dr — 6 — 

paid for Lieut Harbert — 1 — 1 

paid Ensign Bohonnon Lieut. Harbert — 9 — 

"Benningtown — 5 1777 
" this Day settled our mess & find that our expenses at mr Abbot is 
— 13—2, paid by Lieut Harbert. 

" 11 Batches of Bread Baking 16s. — 6 for the company 2s.— to each 

mess of the [regiment?] 

for Baking 8—5-7-0 
4 Bakings 0-6-0 

" Sept 1777 s 

" Lent to Elknh [Elkanah] Danford 12—6 

£ s 
Lent to Capt Webster 0—1—0—0" 

Although Boscawen had sent twenty-six men to Bennington, 
although several of the citizens were in the Continental line, there 
were others ready to leave at a moment's notice. The news of 
the victory was soul-stirring. There is no evidence that any 
orders were received for additional troops, only the general re- 
quest for everybody to turn out. On the 24th of August, twelve 
men started for Bennington, to join Capt. Kimball's company. 




Q ^ /ycA^o-L..^-x/u-'e^~-^-i^n^ 



1777.] 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



265 



Nathaniel Burbank, 
Bitfield Plumer, 
Benjamin Atkinson, 
Joseph Pear.son, 
John Flanders, 
David Flanders, 



Joseph Flanders, 
Ezekiel Flanders, 
Jeremiah Eastman, 
Jeremiah Hidden, 
Nathan Cor.ser, 
Capt. Peter Coffin. 



Lieut. Col. Henry Gerrisli was not in the battle. He raised a 
battalion, wliich went into service a few days later under General 
Stark. 

At a sale of plunder, held at Battenkill, October 18. 1777, Col. 
Henry Gerrish was chosen clerk, and Capt. Sears, vendue mas- 
ter. Capt. Sears Avas undoubtedly Capt. Sears of Bennington. 

Where the "plunder" was obtained is not quite clear. There 
was a large amount of dry goods, watches, knives, and clothing. 
The note-book of Col. Henr}' Gerrish is badly blurred. A few ex- 
tracts are given : 

"At a vendue held at Battenldll Octob 1S"> 1777 Henry Gerrish 
chosen Clerk Capt Moulton[?] to assist him Capt Sears Vendue Mas- 
ter: Capt Ford the Highest bidder 

1 gun 

1 gun 

Job Moulton one white horse 

Col Henry Gerrish one watch 

Capt Ford 1 watch 

Cajat Sear Sword 

David Danford 1 coat 

John Coffin 1 set curtains 

Ensign Morrill cambrick 

Enoch Coffin white Holland 

David Danford two towels and remnant of 
Holland 

Joseph Tales pair slieets 

Mark Currier 19 yds Lawn 

Samuel Hopkins Indian stockings 

Alex Bar check*! Linen 



£3 



s p 

3— 3 

3— 9 

G— 0— 

8_U— 

11—14" 

3—18— 

15— 
4—13— 
2—11— 
2—11— 

1— 1— 
4— 4— 
4— 4— 

16— 
2—15— 



The sale of plunder amounted to £298 Is. 6d. 



FALL CAMPAIGN. 

The town had fifteen soldiers in the fall campaign. In a note 



266 MILITARY HISTORY. [1777 

in Col. Henry Gerrisli's book, we find the number of soldiers 
from adjoining towns in this campaign : 

" Concord 32 

Ilopkinton 22 

Boscuwen 15 

Hillsborough 7 

Bow 6 

Warner 4 



86—6 " 
The annexed '' 6 " is explained below. 

" Charlestown Oct 4"^ 1777. 
"John Church Esq 

" S'' please to Deliver the Bearer 22| lb of Powder for 86 men of my 
Regiment & six men of Col Even's Regiment 

" Henry Gerrish Lt Col." 

It is quite probable that the plunder of the Battenkill sale 
came from the vicinity of Fort Edward, and was taken by the 
New Hampshire troops, who were in the rear of Burgoyne. 

" Concord Nov 7, 1777 
" Recieved of Henry Gerrish my share of Plunder money taken 
above Fort Edward & also the shares of John Evens, Stilson Eastman 
Enoch CofBii, Moses Abbot, Philip Abbot, Amos Abbot, & John 
Farnum the whole being seventy four dollars & two thirds Recieved by 
me " Joshua Abbott, 

" Capt." 

The rally to the defence of the country was wholly independent 
of Congress. It was a state affair. The men who fought the 
battle of Bennington were citizens, and they declined to put 
themselves under Continental authorit}^ Upon the surrender 
of Burgoyne they wished to leave for home. The letter of thanks 
from Gen. Gates shows how highly the services rendered b}^ them 
were appreciated: 

" Camp at Saratoga Oct 18 1777 

" Sir, I desire you will acquaint the volunteers of New hampshire of 
the High sense I have of their merit & service in the Defence of the 
common cause & of the alacrity & spirit with which they have stept 
forth at this critical ajid Important season to the Deliverance of their 
country. They have now my Leave to return home with their Honor- 



1777.] MILITARY HISTORY. 267 

able Dismission convinced tliey will be ready upon every Important Oc- 
casion to join the Northern Army. 

''I am sir your affectionate Humble Servant 

"Horatio Gates 
" Honble Brigad'' Gen Whipple, 
'• Copy 
'• To Col Gerrish" 

CONTINEXTAL SOLBIERS. 

Three regiments were raised by the state at the beginning of 
the war for the Continental service. The muster-rolls of Stark — 
the first — give the names of six citizens of Boscawen, with the 
date of enlistment and discharge : 

" Batchelder William Enlisted 10 Jan 1777, Dis 1 Jan 1780 
" Bishop Enos Enlisted 1 Jan 1777 died 8 Aug 1778. He was cap- 
tured by the Indians 15 Aug 1754, & taken to Canada [see p. 69]. 
" Evans Edward Enlisted 7 Feb 1777, Discharged 1 Dec 1781 
" Flanders Philip Enlisted 1 Jan 1777, Discharged 1 Jan 1782 
" Ilalcomb Matthew enlisted 1 Jan 1777, Deserted 9 July 1777 
" Stevens Peter Roswell enlisted 1 Jan 1777 Discharged 1781." 

These, with the exception of Halcomb, took part in the battle of 
Stilhvater, September 19, and of Saratoga, October 7. In the fii*st 
battle, three Xew Hampshire regiments, and Dearborn's battalion 
of 250 Xew Hampshire troops, were attached to Morgan's rifle- 
men, and with them did all the fighting from one o'clock till nearly 
four in the afternoon, sustaining the brunt of the battle. The 62d 
British regiment of 600 men was nearly annihilated by their 
withering fire. 

KHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN. 

The call for troops during the year was for the defence of Rhode 
Island. Below are the names of the soldiers who served in that 
campaign : 

FROM THE selectmen's BOOKS. 

"The Men Hereafter Named have Recieved the Savrill sums set 

against each of thare Names in Consequence of thare going to Rhode 

Island at the Request of the Committee of Safety. £ s p 

Enoch Gerrish 10— 0— 

Joseph Gerrish 10 — — 

Daniel Shepard 10— 0— 



268 MILITARY HISTORY. [1798. 

Joseph Flanders ic — — 

Moses Biirbauk 10— 0— 

Thomas Gordon 10— — 

Nathan Davis 10 — — 

John Fhinders In — ( — 

Isaac Pearson 10 — — 

Wells Burbank 10— 0— 

Humphrey Jackman 10— — 

Samuel Morrill ]i — (i — 

Jedediah Hoit 10— (I — 



180— 0— " 
" To the Treasurer of the state of New Hampshire, 

" Sir please to alow Winthrop Carter Constable for Boscawen the 
above sum of one hundred & thirty pound out of the State Tax for 
Boscawen assessed to order of the committee of safety 

George Jackman ) Selectmen 
Cutting Noyes j for Bo.-cawen 

"Boscawen Sept 3. 1778 " 

The war liaving been transferred to the Soutliern states, there 
was no further call for the militia. Several citizens enlisted in 
the Continental service, but their names are not known, except 
those serving in the 1st regiment. 

In 1798, in consequence of the interference of French war ships 
with American merchantmen, serious trouble was apprehended 
between the United States and France. Congress established a 
provisional army of eighty thousand men, and appointed Wash- 
ington lieutenant-general. 

Nathaniel Green, Esq., was commissioned a captain, with Moses 
Sweat, of Concord, first lieutenant, and Israel W. Kelley, of Con- 
cord, second lieutenant. Eight citizens of Boscawen enlisted : 

Sergt. Joseph Flanders, Moses Corser, 

Moses Jackman, Nathan Danforth, 

Daniel Colby, Bernard Young, 

Benjamin Fisk, Joshua Sawyer. 

The company assembled at Concord, having their quarters for 
a few days at Osgood's tavern, and from thence marched to Oxford, 
Mass., the rendezvous for the New England troops. Negotiations 
were entered into, and a war averted, and the soldiers dis- 
charged. 




"^ 



f, ^y^^/UV/'o. 



1812.] MILITARY HISTORY. 269 

WAR OF 1812. 

There are no rolls in the adjutant-general's office showing what 
citizens enlisted in the service of the United States during the 
war of 1812-13. 

Col. Timothy Dix commanded a United States regiment on the 
frontier, and died in the service [see Biographj^]. 

Several British ships of war made their appearance on the 
coast, and it was supposed that Portsmouth would be attacked. 
The militia was called out to defend it. There were two drafts, — 
one for three, and the second for two months. 
Those serving under the first draft W'ere, — 
Ensign Richard Little, John P^astman, 

Joiin Stone, Jacob Flanders, 

Moses Call, Josiah Gale, 

Enoch Burbank, Nicholas Gookin, 

Samuel Burbank, Simeon Jackman, 

Moses Cross, Joseph Moses, 

Stephen Danforth, Daniel Shepard. [14] 

Under the second draft for two months, — 
Capt. Silas Call, who died in Abel Eastman, 

service, Samuel Watson, 

Eleazer Burbank, Ephraim Noyes, 

Jesse Sweat, James Noyes, 

Benj. Severance, Theodore George, 

Amos Rolf, Ebenezer Moody, 

William Haines, Amos Sawyer, 

Guy C. Flanders, Samuel Jackman. [15] 

Of those enlisting in the regular service, the names of a few 
only are known. 

Benjamin Jackman, Fisk, died, 

Moses Jackman, Chellis Eastman, died, 

Edmund Day, killed, George Littlefield, died, 

Benjamin Fisk, died, Eliphalet Burpee, died. 

THE MILITIA. 

No records exist to tell us when the first military company was 
organized in Boscawen. Through the Indian wars every man 
was a soldier. It is known that a company existed in Boscawen 
as early as 1769, and that Peter Coffin was captain, his commis- 
sion having been granted by Benning Wentworth. 



270 MILITARY HISTORY. [1812. 

His successors in command were Capt. Samuel Atkinson, Col. 
Henry Gerrish, Capt. Peter Kimball. 

How long Capt. Kimball commanded, or who succeeded liim, is 
not known. 

In 1792 the militia of the state was reorganized. Each regi- 
ment was composed of two battalions, the regiment being com- 
manded by a lieutenant-colonel, and the liattalions by majors. 

The 21st regiment was thus constituted : 

First Hattalion. Boscawen, Salisbury, Andover, New Lon- 
don, Kearsarge Gore (Wilmot). 

Second Battalion. Hopkinton, Warner, Sutton, Fishersfield, 
Bradford. 

SECOND INFANTRY. 

A second infantry company was formed prior to 1794, including 
those liable to military duty west of Beaver-dam brook. The 
officers were Benjamin Little, captain, Nathan Kilburn, lieu- 
tenant, Jeremiah Gerrish, ensign, Capt. Little continued in 
command probably three years. 

The military rations on a muster day for a jiortion of the regi- 
ment, — the battalion commanded by Maj. Joseph Gerrish, — will 
be seen from a bill found among his papers : 

"Maj Joseph Gerrish to Nathl Noyes Dr Oct 15 1795 £ 

To 15 Gals 3 qts 6 Gils WI Rum delivered the companies 5 — 11 — 7 
To 3 Quarts ditto to Lt Webster 5—3 

To 3 Quarts Brandy ditto 7— IJ 

To 33 D'" Gingerbread 5—0 

£6-8—11^ 
(men) GalQgilla 
Capt Chandler's Company 89 — 2 — 3 — 1 

" Petingales " 70—2—0—6 

" Gale " 55—1—2—7 

" Clement " 07- 2— 0— 3 

" Little " 93—2—3—5 

" Scribner " 86—2—2—6 

" Cliandler the troop 50—1—2—2 



15_3_6 



Errors excepted 

Nathl Noyes 



1812. J MILITARY HISTORY. 271 

The Ttli Infantry, commanded by Capt. Benj. Little, was so 
numbered till the division of the regiment in 1821, when it be- 
came the 6th company, but subsequently it was changed to the 
2d Infantry of the regiment as well as the 2d in the town. 

THE CAVALRY. 

The 1st Cavalry of the 21st regiment was organized at an early 
date. It is known to have been in existence prior to 1787. It was 
called " the troop." In the military organization of the state, it 
was contemplated that there should be one companj' of cavalry 
connected with each regiment. The uniform consisted of white 
pants, red coats with bell buttons, a black leather cap ornament- 
ed with an eagle on a white shield, with chains and tassels, and a 
red and black plume. 

To be a trooper sometimes required hard riding and hard drink- 
ing. All new members were " crowned " when admitted. From 
the private papers of Joseph Couch, who was farrier to the troop, 
and upon whom was laid the duty of " crowding " the new mem- 
bers, we obtain an insight of the military customs of the early 
part of the century. The new soldier being brought before the 
company, the master of ceremonies made an address, first to the 
officers, then to the soldiers, followed by the giving of the right 
hand of fellowship, the singing of a song, and the drinking of a 
great deal of grog. 

SONG. 

Tune — Lady Washington. 

"Come, thou brave horseman! my hand I will give you, 
And will help you to join with the strong. 
You're welcome here to dine, 
As our company you'll join, 

And we all will unite in the song. 

" Hail, mighty trooper! submit to your captain 

And he'll lead you, we trust, in the way — 
In the way that you should go, 
As we trust that you do know, 

And we all will unite in the main. 

'' Hark! hear the trumpet: you, my brave soldiers. 
While that you're clad in the red, 



272 MILITARY HISTORY. [1812. 

The sword is at your side, 
In my hand you may confide, 

While the wings of the eagle are spread. 

" The soil that's enriched by the blood of brave men, 

Shall ne'er be oppressed by the slave. 
Then let traitors vaunt their pride, 
In our captain we'll confide, 

While this red coat is honored as brave !" 

THE CHARGE. 

"Brother soldiers : You look like hardy sons of freedom, in whom 
our confidence may with safety repose. Then how unspeakably great 
is your privilege, seeing the eyes of all who have suffered in the cause 
of virtue have earnestly looked towards the privilege you may now en- 
joy, and have justly expected with you to receive the crown of liberty, 
and with you to drink the water of freedom through our happy land!" 

" Since a charge you demand, I can't say you nay, 
But feeling quite sure I have little to say ; 
I must task my invention to bring it in rhyme, 
With all my endeavors to make it combine. 
" To take a sprig of Fashion's part. 

You Volunteers with all your heart ; 

To every wit the gauntlet throw. 

Who dares assail or give a blow; 

And each one of this little gang 

Will give a whack for every bang; 

Receive a jeer for every gibe 

That's aim'd against the trooping tribe.'' 

Chorus : 

" Fill while we may, 
For that's the right way; 
The night will be on 
While we drink down the day." 

THE ARTILLERY. 

The Artillery company was the second vokinteer company in the 
regiment, organized about the year 1809, and was supplied by 
the state with a four-pound field-piece. It was a vigorous com- 
pany for many j'-ears, but its fortunes began to wane with the 




7 



,/^>^^?^ 



1812.] MILITARY HISTORY. 273 

general dec,\y of the military system, and was disbanded in 1849. 
Nathaniel Thurston was its last eommander. 

LIGHT IXFANTllY. 

The Boscawen Light Infantry company was formed in 1811. 
Moses Gerrish, afterward colonel, was chosen captain, Abraham 
Burbank, lieutenant, and James Giddings, ensign. A uniform 
was obtained the next year. It was the third in the regiment of 
volunteer companies. From that time to the abandonment of the 
military system throughout the state, it was known as an efficient, 
energetic, and well-drilled compan}-. Just before the downfall of 
the S3^stem, the company obtained the rich and costly uniform of 
the New England Guards of Boston. Its last appearance on the 
muster-field was one of its best, — at the brigade muster at Henni- 
ker, in 1850. The ranks were full, and the soldiers under a high 
degree of discipline, with an efficient commander, Capt. David E. 
Burbank, son of the first lieutenant of the company, Capt. Abra- 
ham Burbank, its first commander. 

THE RIFLE COMPANY. 

Although there were two volunteer companies in town, besides 
one third of the cavalry, the military spirit was high enough to 
bring into existence a volunteer rifle compan}^, which was formed 
in 1839, with Fitz Heiuy Boyden as captain. The natural sup- 
position would have been, that a young and energetic organization, 
ably officered, would have overshadowed the existing corps, — the 
Light Infantry ; but the men in the Light Infantry, instead of 
yielding their prestige, put forth new efforts, — and the two or- 
ganizations, composed almost wholly of men residing in the west- 
ern section of the town, maintained their respective positions, in 
generous rivalry, till the abandonment of the military system. 

MUSTERS. 

Military musters were great events in the olden times. The 
military spirit was high. Ever}^ able-bodied citizen, between the 
ages of 18 and 45, was called vipon to do military duty. Men are 
martial by nature. They love to march after 

"The ear-piercing fife and spirit-stirring drum." 

18 



274 MILITARY HISTORY. [1812, 

There was a healthful rivalry between the different volunteer 
organizations, — each company desiring to appear with full ranks, 
and to show its superior efficiency in drill and discii)line. Every 
soldier of the volunteer companies looked forward to muster- 
day with unalloyed pleasure. The approaching event Avas for 
weeks the theme of conversation. Everybody went to muster ; — 
the soldier, to perform his duty ; his wife, to admire him ; his chil- 
dren, to eat gingerbread and candy, to drink egg-nog, and explode 
fire-crackers. 

There was little sleep the night preceding muster-day. Each 
soldier deemed it his privilege to salute his officers by firing be- 
neath his windows, shattering the glass by his heavy charges. 
The " salute " was acknowledged by an invitation to the soldier 
and everybody else to step in and help themselves to rum, gin, 
whiskey, or brandy ; and, if the officer was married, to sit down to 
baked Indian pudding and beans. 

The day began with a carouse. By sunrise every road leading 
toward the muster-field was swarming with men, — soldiers on foot, 
on horseback, or in wagons, with troops of boys, and peddlers of 
every description. 

The volunteer companies took pride in being first on parade, to 
display their marching before the regimental line was formed. 
Then began the drum-beat, — the long roll, — the formation of the 
company by the corporal, the reception of the officers, the com- 
mand of the captain, " By sections, right wheel — march." Then 
the fifes and clarinets and bugles began, and the soul-stirring 
strains floated out on the morning air, and the soldiers, with full 
stomachs and steady steps, moved across the fields, to the delight 
of the admiring spectators. For an hour or more each company 
marched, countermarched, wheeled, in section, in battalion, filed 
right and left, passed defiles and obstacles, changed front, and dis- 
played itself to the best advantage. 

Then came the formation of the regimental line, the inspection 
and review, and dismissal for dinner, when each man ate as he 
never ate before. On this one day he gorged himself. Did he 
not pay for his dinner? Then he was entitled to all he could eat. 
Did the state furnish him with a dinner? Then he would have 
all he could get. 

Through the forenoon lie drinks several glasses of grog. He 



1861.] MILITARY HISTORY. 275 

takes another glass after dinner. In the afternoon comes the 
sham-fight, when muskets bhize and cannon roar. The soldier's 
legs are getting weary, and he takes more grog to give him 
strength. 

While the sham battle is going on, there is a crowd upon the 
field. Peddlers are hawking their wares, showmen exhibiting 
their two-headed calves, and pigs with eight feet. A sleight of 
hand performer is pulling ribbons out of his mouth, or chewing 
tow and spitting fire. 

The sham battle is over. The regiment is in line once more, 
the " rear rank " has been called before the colonel and thanked 
for the soldierly appearance of the troops, and the regiment is dis- 
missed. 

Each company moves away, — some with broken ranks, some 
with soldiers who are unsteady on their legs. The drummer gets 
his rub-a-dubs mixed, and does not quite know whether he is play- 
ing " common " or " compound " time, while the fifer gets " Yan- 
kee Doodle " confounded with "On the Road to Boston." Soldiers 
are firing their last guns, hucksters disposing of their last sheets 
of gingerbread, and the bibulous crowd taking their last drinks of 
grog. The sun goes down through the murky cloud of the sliam 
battle, the cannon, with sulphurous lips, is limbered up and taken 
away, and the field gradually becomes deserted. 

WAR OF THE RKBELLION. 

The citizens of Boscawen and Webster were not behind their 
fellow-citizens in manifesting their patriotism at the breaking out 
of the Rebellion, and from the beginning to the end maintained 
their determination to preserve the country one and indivisible 
forever. The quotas of both towns were kept full, and all calls 
from the state promptly answered. 

REGIMENTS. 

1st. Col. M. W. Tappan, 3 months. 

2d. Col. Gihnan Marston, 3 years. 

3d. Col. E. Q. Fellows, " 

4th. Col. Thos. J. Whipple, « 

5th. Col. Edward E. Cross, '« 

6th. Col. Nelson Converse, " 



276 MILITARY HISTORY. [18G3. 

7tli. Col, H. S. Putnam, 3 years. 

8th. Col. Hawkes Fearing, " 

9th. Col. E. Q. Fellows, " 

10th. Col. M. T. Donahue, " 

11th. Col. Walter Harriman, " 

12th. Col. Joseph H. Potter, " 

13th. Col. Aaron F. Stevens, " 

14th. Col. Robert Wilson, " 

15th. Col. J. W. Kingman, 9 months. 

16th. Col. James Pike, " 

17th. Col. Henry O. Kent, " 

1st Battalion Cavalry, D. B. Nelson, 3 years. 

]st Co. Heavy Artillery, C. H. Long, " 

2d Co. Heavy Artillery, J. M. Burton, " 

1st Light Battery, Geo. A. Gerrish, " 

Co. E, 1st Sharpshooters, A. B. Jones, " 

Co. F, 2d Sharpshooters, H. M. Caldwell, " 

Co. G, 2d Sharpshooters, Wm. D. McPherson, " 

The ITtli Regiment was consolidated with the 2d. 

It has been a matter of no little difficulty to obtain an accurate 
and authentic list of those who served during the four years, who 
were citizens of the towns. 

The list of soldiers from Boscawen is given as per record in 
possession of Isaac K. Gage, which varies materially from the re- 
port of the adjutant-general, published by the state. The list as 
given below is the record by which the final settlement with the 
state was made, and may be accepted as correct. 

The records of the movements of the various regiments may be 
found in the reports published by the state, and in possession of 
the town clerk. 

SOLDIERS FROM BOSCAWEN. 

Regt. Eegt. 

Ames, Fisher, Co. E, 7 Brown, John H., Co. F, 9 

Ayer, Henry H., Co. B, 3 Bidwell, Cyrus B., Co. E, 7 

Abbot, Daniel C, Co. E, 7 Bidwell, George F., Co. E, 7 

Atkinson, Edmund W\, Co. E, 16 Baker, Lt. Henry W., Co. E, 7 
Bent, James AV., Co. F, Ballard, Lt. AVm. W., Co. B, 2 

Sharpshooters. Brannan, Thos. Navy 

Brannan, Wm. H., Co. H, 4 Chandler, Samuel, Co. E, 7 

Boynton, Jonas T., Sharpshooters. Clancy, John, Co. E, 7 




J»/^^j 



x>-^^^^^-^^^ 




o 



1863.] MILITARY HISTORY. 277 

Regt. Regt. 

Clancy, Patrick, Co. K, 9 Perry, Wm. II., 8 

Chase, Aloiizo, Co. I, 4 Pritcliard, Dexter, Co. E, 7 

Chadwick, Edwin H.. Sharpshooters. Pierce, John, Co. E, 7 

Coffin, George, Co. E, IG Pettengill, John H., 

Call, George, Co. H, U Heavy Artillery. 

Chadwick, Hale, Co. C, 17 Riley, Charles, Co. A, 5 

Crane, Albert J., 22dMass. Raymond, Liberty G., Co. E, 7 

Colby, John P., Cavalry. Reardoii, Michael, Co. G, 4 

Duffy, Nicliolas, Co. G, 2 Reynolds, Martin, Navy. 

Danforth, Nathan C, Co. A, 5 Raley, Walter S-, Co. E, 3 

Duckworth, William, Co. E, 7 Sheehan, Jeremiah, Co. C, 3 

Danforth, Horace II., Cavalry. Shepard, Chas. P., Sharpshooters. 

Danforth, Sylvanus E., Co. A, 5 Shepard, Peter R., Co. E, 16 

Damon, George, Co. I*>., 2 Smart, Horace, Co. E, 16 

Day, George, 2d Heavy Artillery. Stevens, Alexander S., Co. E, 7 
Day, Wilson, 2d Heavy Artillery. Story, Wm. H., Co. E, 
Evans, Isaac C, Co. E, 7 Sweatt, Joseph S., Co. E, 2 

Flanders, Curtis, Co. I, 10 Simonds,CalvinW., Sharpshooters. 

Flanders, David A., Co. E, 10 Smith, Curtis, 7 

Favor, Fred II., 3 Simonds, Joseph, Co. E, 7 

Flanders, Josiah H., Cavalry. Sewell, William, Navy. 

Flanders David J., Navy. Spearman, Franklin, " 

Gage, Hiram, Co. B, 3 Spellman, John, 

Mayher, John, Co. C, 7 Thurston, Nathaniel, 

Mitchell. John, 3 Sharpshooters. 

Muzzey, Jolin, Co. E, 2 Tyler, James S., Sharp.'^hooters. 

Morse, Charles Thornton, Barnard, Co. A, 5 

Morrill, Hiram J., Heavy Artillery. Tewksbury, Sumner P., Co. K, 3 
Moulton, Charles, Navy. Tewksbury, Samuel F.. Co. G, 8 

Morse, Daniel, Sharpshooters. Thornton, John C, Co. G, 8 

McEvely, Herbert, Co. H, 10 Thurston, John P., Co. F, 4 

Morrison, Benj., Sharpshooters. Wooley, Matthew, Co. E, 7 

Paige, Alonzo, Co. D, 11 Wooley, Samuel, Co. A, 5 

Pearson, Henry, Sharpshooters. Woodward, Albert B., Co. K, 4 
Pierce, William M., Co. K, 9 Whitney, Charles S., Navy. 

BOSCAWKX ENROLLMENT. 

Citizens liable to do military duty April 30, 1865, 140 

Total quota under all calls, 71 

Soldiers in service, volunteers, and substitutes, 85 

Surplus, 14 



278 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



[1863. 



SOLDIERS FROM WEBSTER. 

The record is from the papers in tlie town-clerk's office, and 
from the reports of the adjutant-general, — neither of them giving 
in full the company and regiments. 

Regt. Regt. 

Burbank, Calvin M., Co. B, 2 Ladd, Joseph M. 

Burbauk. Lt. David E., Co. E, 16 Lock, Warren F. 
Burbank, Ezekiel W., Co E, 16 Little, Ci)arles, Surgeon, 



Navy. 
10 Macurdy, Capt. David A., Co. 
14 H, 14 

14 Macurdy, Mattliew, Co. H, 14 

14 Page, Tristram S., Co. E, 16 

Roby, Gardiner 
16 Roby, Geo. S., 14 

16 Sanders, Henry A. 
Sweatt, Sumner J. 
8 Sweatt, Blaisdell, Co. H, 4 

16 Stone, Lt. Frederick P., Cavalry. 
16 Searles, Jefferson, 7 

2 Sanborn, James O., 4 

14 Sanders, Josepli E., Co. C, 
16 Sharpshooters. 

16 Sargent, Lt. Walter IL. Co. H, 14 
16 Sargent, Isaac P., Co. E, 16 

Sargent, John, Heavy Artillery. 

16 



Blanchard, Carter F., Co. E, 
Call, George, 
Corser, Hamilton P., 
Corser, David S., 
Couch, Calvin P. 
Chase, George C, Co. E, 
Chase, John B., Co. E, 
Fisk, Charles AV. 
Fellows, George S., 
Flanders, Daniel F., Co. E, 
Gerrish, James L., Co. E., 
Heath, Charles N.. Co. B, 
Jeffers, Edward F., Co. H, 
Jack, Hiram A., Co. H, 
Jones, Willard W., Co. H, 
Jackman, Jesse M., Co. II, 
Kilburn, Daniel P., Co. C, 

Sharpshooters. Story, Warren A., Co. E, 
Kelley, Andrew J., Co. C, Thompson. Hiram, 14 

Sharpshooters Titcomb, Luther C, Co. E, 16 
Kilburn, Lucien M., Co. E, 16 Thurber, Joseph, Co. E, 16 

Libbe, W. H., Co. H, U Whittier, John 

Libbe, Frank, Heavy Artillery. Whittier, David J., Co. E, 16 

Ladd, George W., Co. II, 14 

WEBSTER ENROLLMENT. 

Citizens liable to do military duty, April 3, 1865, 63 

Total quota under all calls, 36 

Soldiers in service, 46 

Surplus, 10 

George S. Fellows is not credited to Boscawen. He was a 
former resident, hut enlisted from ISTashua. 

Eev. Arthur Little served as chaplain of the 16th Vermont. 

If the terms of service and the casualties can be correctly ob- 
tained, they will be given at the end of the volume. 




Boscawen Academy. 



[1761. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 



^|;l HE proprietors of Contoocoolv were required to set aside one 
^4'^ eiglity-fourtli part of the land in their grant for .school pur- 
poses, though there was no stipulation in regard to establishing 
schools. Whether a public school was established prior to the in- 
corporation of the town is doubtful. The burdens of the proprie- 
tors were great. They had to support a minister, fight the Ind- 
ians, maintain a garrison, open roads, build their houses, cut down 
the forest, clear the land, and rear their families. Although the 
land had been freely granted, the outlay far exceeded the income. 
Many of the proprietors, weary of paying money where there was 
no prospect of a return, allowed their proprietary rights to be sold 
for taxes, and it is not probable that they taxed themselves as 
proprietors to maintain public schools. The records are silent in 
regard to any appropriation. Probably the instruction received 
by the children of the first settlers was wholly from their parents. 

In 1761, the year after the incorporation of the town, thirty 
pounds was appropriated for a public school, and Eev. Mr. Var- 
ney, who had been supplying the pulpit, was employed as teacher. 
The school was kept two months, — probably in Mr. Varney's house 
on King street. 

The next teacher was Eev. Robie Morrill, who taught in 1766. 
He had been dismissed as minister on the 9th of December, that 
year, and engaged at once in teaching. [See Biog.] 

In 1768, the name of Moses Morse appears upon the records. 
The appropriation of money was sufficient to employ him three 
months. 



280 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1782. 

The records convey no information in regard to schools from 
1768 to 1777. 

It is altogether probable that schools were taught ; for a com- 
munity so keenly alive to progress as that of Boscawen would not 
willingly deprive themselves of educational facilities. 

In 1777, though nearly all the able-bodied men were in the 
army, and the women had to do a large share of the work in the 
fields, a school was taught by Nathaniel Atkinson. 

In 1778, Nathaniel Atkinson and Mr. Henry were employed as 
teachers. The amount paid for schools shows a liberal appropria- 
tion, when the circumstances of the time are taken into account. 

In 1771), a school-mistress was employed, — the first in town ; but 
the name of the lady does not appear upon the records. 

In 1782, Mehitable Hidden began service as a teacher. She 
was a resident of Boscawen, living on Fish street. Of her sex, hers 
is the first name on the record. It is not known that she taught 
more than one term. Possibly she could not manage the roystering 
youths, who would be more intent upon kicking each others' shins, 
or pulling out handfuls of hair, than in giving attention to study. 
It was not in the nature of things that there should be much 
conning of books, for few of the scholars were in possession of text- 
books, or even a spelling-book. One reading-book served for a whole 
class. Then arose a teacher, — Rev. Caleb Bingham, boi-n in Con- 
necticut, 1757, a graduate of Dartmouth, 1782, and established a 
school for young ladies in Boston, 1785, — who felt the need of 
school-books. He set himself to work to provide a series, and is- 
sued six in all, which had a remarkable sale. The '•' Young La- 
dies' Accidence " passed through twenty editions, and there were 
issued not less than one hundred thousand copies. Of the 
"Child's Companion," about one liundred and eighty thousand 
copies were sold ; of the " American Preceptor," six hundred and 
forty thousand ; of the " Columbian Orator," about one hundred 
and ninety thousand ; of the " Youthful Catechism," one hun- 
dred thousand ; of " Juvenile Letters," twenty-five thousand — in 
all, one million two hundred and fifty thousand. Prior to the 
publication of these volumes there were no school-ljooks worthy 
the name. 

Not only were books wanting, but school-houses. Apartments 
in private houses were used. There were no desks, and the seats 



1783. J EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 281 

were planks, resting on blocks of wood, without backs or other 
support. The school-rooms often were lighted by one window 
only. It required a firm hand to deal with sixty or more stal- 
wart young men. 

The wonder is, that any womaii had the courage to attempt the 
task. Quite likely the citizens did not consider " school-marms " 
a success, for no other female name appears till 1791, when Miss 
Phebe Knight, a young lady who had just moved into town from 
Newbury, taught the school on Little hill. Tliat she was a suc- 
cessful teacher is evident from the fact that she continued to teach, 
till her marriage to Mr. ISTicholas Moody. 

From that day to the present, female teachers have done their 
full share in educating the successive generations. During the 
remaining years of the century, the ''school dames" were Phebe 
Knight, Lydia Varney, Mary Thurston, Mary Stiekne}', jSTabby 
Jackman, Olive Bakci-, and Sally Gerrish. 

The educators of a community occupy a responsible "position. 
They mold character; they do much towards making or marring 
the future man. They take charge of the mind and the heart at 
their most plastic period. They are mind-builders. They hold 
the future well-being of the community in their hands ; and in a 
history of a town which has moved steadily ujjward to a higher 
plane of civilization they should have honorable mention. It 
has not been possible, however, to obtain more than a partial list 
of names. Those teaching prior to the year 1800 Avere, — 

1761. Rev. Mr. Varney [see Civil Hist.]. 

176G. Eev. Eobie Morrill [see Biog.], 

1767. Eev. Nathaniel Merrill [see Civil Hist.]. 

1768. Moses Morse. 

1777. Nathaniel Atkinson. 

1778. Mr. Henry. 

Col. Joseph Gerrish [see Gen.]. 

1779. A school-mistress. 

1780. Moses Burbank. 
Jonathan Atkinson. 

1782. Mehitable Hidden. 
Eichard Morse. 

1783. Jonathan Thurston. 
James Tillan. 



282 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1790. 

1784. Ephraim Wood, of Lebanon, on King st. 
Josiah Burbauk, on Water st. 

William Fisk, Putney dist. 
Jonathan Atkinson, on High st. 
James Tillan. 

1785. Ephraim Wood, King st. 
Josiah Burbank, Water st. 
Master Brown, on Corser hill. 
Joseph Wood, Fish st. 
William Fisk. 

Tristram Sayers, Battle st. 

1786. Nathaniel Knight, King st. and Water st. 
Josiah Burbank, Battle st. 

1787. Eev. Eobie Morrill, King st. 
Master Graham, Water st. 
Master Carpenter. 

Nicholas Elliot. 
Nathaniel Knight. 
Ephraim Wood. 
Somersby Pearson. 
Daniel Bm-bank. 
Master Evans. 

The last named was from Warner, and was a strict disciplina- 
rian. 

SCHOOL MONEY, 

"Lower School Dist £20— .5— 2 

Fish st (3—17—11 

Water st 17— 1—11 

Corst-r Hill 12—1.5—10 

Pleasant st 5—19— 8 

West of Bliickwater .5—14— 7 

Long Pond 3—16— 4 

High st 7—10— 4" 

1789. Josiah Burbank, Corser hill. 
Eliphalet Little, Battle st. 

Enoch Little, Corser hill [see Biog.]. 

Enoch Little, Putney. 

Joseph Atkinson, Water st. [see Gen.]. 

1790. Moses Kelley, King st., of Salisbury. 



1793.] EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 283 

Master Webber. 

1791. Kev. Robie Morrill. 

Phebe Knight [see Biog.], Little hill. 

Sally Pearson, of B., High st. 

Oliver Davis, Corser hill, of Warner. He was a fine bass sing- 
er, and sat at the " head " in the singers' seats. After teaching 
many years, he opened a store in the house now occupied by Geo. 
Little. 

1792. Hannah Jackman, King st. 

Edmund Carleton, Water st. Born in Haverhill, Mass., grad- 
uated Dartmouth, physician at Haverhill, N. H. Married Anna, 
daughter Capt. Peter C. Coffin. School was taught in the north- 
west corner room of Capt. Coffin's house, Water st., now owned 
by Mr. Colby. 

Enoch Little, Little hill. 

Mary Thurston, Little hill. 

Oliver Davis, Corser hill. 

Eufus Anderson, High st. He was father of Kev. Rufus An- 
derson, of Boston, for many years secretary of American Board of 
Foreign Missions. 

Lydia Varney, High st. 

Somersby Pearson, Fish st. 

Silas Stickney. 

Stephen Pottei*. 

Moses Kclley, of Salisbury, Corser hill. 

Phebe Knight, White Plain. 

(From selectmen's book.) 

" Paid Saml Corser for use of school room 16 — 6" 

The first appropriation for Bashan was made this year, — £2 
10s. 

"Paid Daniel Cass for the use of "his house to keep school in— 18 
shillings. 

"Paid John Jackman for boarding School Daim South end Long 
Pond 1—4—0" 

The names of Hannah Jackman and Phebe Knight appear as 
" schoor daims " the first after Mehitajjle Hidden in 1782. 
1793. Daniel Burbank, White Plain. 
Mary Thurston, Little hill. 



284 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1797. 

Enoch Little, Little hill. 
Oliver Davis, King st. 
David Quimby, Fish st. 

1794. Mary Stickney, Little Hill. 

Moses Coffin, Little Hill. He resided in the house now occu- 
pied by Jabez Abbott. 

Hannah Little [see Gen.]. 
School Dame Foster. 
Daniel Burbank. 

1795. Ezra Carter, Corser hill. 
Lydia Varney. 

Oliver Davis, High st. 

David Qniniby. 

Mary Stickney. 

Polly Varney, Little hill. 

1796. Oliver Davis, High st. 
]S"abby Jackman, Water st. 
Moses Coffin. 

Lydia Varney. 

1797. Oliver Davis, King st. 
Olive Baker. 

David Quimby, Water st. 

Nabby Jackman, North Blackwater. 

Anna Danforth, Bashan. 

Moses Thurston, Little hill. He taught many j^ears, and was 
known through life as "Master Thurston." He was a severe 
discijilinarian. One of his instruments for maintaining discipline 
was a leather ferule, composed of two pieces of hammered sole- 
leather, with sheet lead stitched between them. On one side he 
punched four holes, on the other five. He usually asked a culprit 
which he would have, — four holes, or five. If the trembling urchin 
said four. Master Thurston usually gave this reply : 

"For fear of making a mistake I will give you both." 

Each stroke left an arraj' of blisters, the size of the holes, on the 
aching palms. 

He taught several years in West Salisbur3^ It was a turbulent 
school, and it i^sed to be jocosely said that the surrounding farms 
never would have been cleared of alders if Master Thurston had 
not been employed as teacher. 



1809.] EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 285 

Sucli severity of punishment as was administered by Moses 
Thurston was a part of the system of the time. Not every master 
was so severe, but the scholars were rude and turbulent, and a mas- 
ter who could not wield the ferule stood little chance of success. 

1798. Master Evans, King st. 
Oliver Davis, Corser liill. 
Lydia Varney, White Plain. 
Nabby Jackman, Little hill. 

1799. David Story, Fish st. 
Master Howe, King st. 
Kufus Anderson, High st. 
Master Hoyt, Water st. 
Master Sawyer, Little hill. 

Kev. Moses Sawyer, of Salisbury, graduated Dartmouth col- 
lege, settled in Henniker, and in Saugus, Mass., died in Ipswich, 
Mass. 

Sally Gerish, Little hill. 

Thomas Shepard, Putney. 

Lydia Varney, Corser hill. 

David Quimby, N. Water. 

Philip Colby, Corser hill. 

THE KEW SCHOOL LAAV. 

Not till 1809 was there any general improvement in the schools 
[see p. 169]. The appointment of a superintending committee, 
the great interest taken in education by Eev. Mr. Wood, Rev. 
Mr. Price, Ezekiel Webster, Nathaniel Green, and others, gave 
a new impetus to the cause of education. Select schools were 
taught by young gentlemen from Dartmouth college. The old 
theor}'-, that a man must be a master, gave place to the new idea 
that he must be a teacher. Rewards of merit were found to be 
more potent than the ferule to stimulate the scholar. There was 
a marked improvement during the second and third decades of 
the century. The schools, the whole community, moved to a 
higher plane. 

Under the new law the schools were placed under the control 
of a superintending committee, consisting of Rev. Samuel Wood, 
Rev. Ebenezer Price, and the selectmen, — Stephen Gerrish, Jo- 
seph H. Morrill, and Peletiah Peaslee. 



286 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1809. 

The committee voted to visit tlie schools " the second Tuesday 
after their commencement, and the Tuesday preceding their close, 
and to this end public notice shall be given the Sabbath before 
such visit." 

In the estimation of that generation, education and religion 
were closely allied. Men must be intelligent to be good citizens 
and Christians. 

" Voted that three of the committee (tliere being five) shall attend 
each visit, extraordinaries excepted. And should the case happen that 
but two, or one, shall be able to attend, after such public notice, it 
must be considered as the proper visit, and no new appointment can be 
made. 

"As no person can be permitted to engage in a school without certifi- 
cates of his or her qualifications and good moral character, it is the 
united opinion of this committee that while some reputable grammar 
school master and minister of the Gospel, or Preceptor of an Academy, 
&c., certify his or her qualifications in the various branches of litera- 
ture, the selectmen are the proper body to certify the Moral character 
of the person; and we shall therefore govern ourselves accordingly." 

The first visitation of the committee was made May 16, 1799, 
to School District No. 6, Little hill. 

" 1809. May 16. No. 1. 

" Tuesday, the committee according to public notice visited the 
school district No. 6 Little Hill under the care of Miss Mary Gerrish 32 
children. Books, Spelling book. Preceptor, Geography, Grammar, 
Bible & Catechism." 

The catechism of the Westminster Assembly of Divines was as 
much a text-book as grammar. It was found in the New Eng- 
land Primer. 

" May 23'i No 2 

" Tuesday — visited the School in No 2 "Water street under the 
care of Mrs Sally Martin, 35 children Books, Spelling book Preceptor, 
Geography, 1 in Grammar 1 writer. The bible not used & catechism 
not yet introduced. This School under disadvantages. 

" May 30 No 7. 

" Tuesday A. M visited School at White Plain under the care of Miss 
Sally Pillsbury, 25 children, Books, Spelling book, Testament & Cate- 
chism The scholars young, but ambitious & very observant of order. 

"No 3 

" Same day A. M. visited School on Corser Hill under the care of 
Miss Phebe Thurston, 50 children 35 girls. Books, Columbiau Ora- 



1809.] EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 287 

tor, Geography, Testament Catechism, some writers, but none in gram- 
mar. 

"May 31 

" Visited the School on King street under tlie care of IMiss Eunice 
Morrill 'M cliihlren, 2-4 girls, Spelling book, Preceptor, Geog, Gram- 
mar. Bible catechism some writers. 

'•June 5 No 5. Visited the School on Fish street under the care of 
Miss Apphia Gerrish 13 children. Books, Three in Geog, one in Gram- 
mar, Rest in Spelling, Catechism used but none in the Bible. This 
School is young & backwa<-d. 

" No 4 

'' Same day visited High street School under the care of Miss Betsey 
AVorcester 26 children. Books — Spelling Websters 3'^ Preceptor, 
Geog'y, Bible, Catechism, 1 in grammar mostly young. 

" June 13 No 9 

" Visited Long Pond School under the care of Miss Mary Parker 37 
children Books, Spelling B. one in "Webster's 3'' P & one in the Bible. 
No Grammar, Geog y or Catechism — or writers. A pleasant num- 
ber of schollars who have been under the disadvantages of poor instruc- 
tors a miserable government & want of books. 

''Same day P M No 8 

'' Visited Bashau School, under the care of Miss Abigail Allen 13 
children Books, Spelling Bo. Webster's 3 P & Catechism. None in 
Grammar Geogy, or writing, the School well governed & the children 
ambitious. 

" This day the committee compleated the first course of visits. In 
them they have endevored to ascertain the real state of each school at 
its commencement; to make those observations & propose those excite- 
ments to the children, which would be most likely to jwomote their fu- 
ture improvement; — also to counsel & advise the several Instructresses 
when needed to that government & mode of instruction which would 
be most useful. 

" We found in the several schools 268 children, as yet not accommo- 
dated with suitable school books; but generally well provided with 
capable Instructresses & under that order & tuition which promises 
much advantage to the children & great satisfaction to their Parents 
& at once shews a very wise aj^propriation of 2")roperty for the educa- 
tion of children under the sanction of law. 

Eben"" Price 

Scribe." 
These were summer schools, attended only by tlie youngest 
children. It will be noticed that arithmetic is not mentioned 
among the text-books. Mental arithmetic was not introduced till 



288 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1809. 

alDout the year 1830. Its introduction produced great excite- 
ment. Many of the parents opposed it, on the ground that it 
would confuse the minds of the children, and would lead to insan- 
ity ! The geography in use was that published hy Rev. Jedediah 
Morse. 

The winter schools were attended hy the boj^s, who in summer 
were obliged to work on the farm. Many of them were stalwart 
young men. A true view of the state of education at the time 
may be obtained by comparing the summ'er and winter terms. 

WINTER TERMS. 

" Dec 4 'No 2 

" Tuesday. Visited Water street. Jacob Sanborn Master children 
43. 1 in abK, 14 in spelling book, 11 in Preceptor, 8 in Geog, 12 writ- 
ers, 3 in arithmetic & 3 in grammer. The Bible not introduced. Good 
order in the School & the Master well recomended. 

" Dec 5 No 9 

" Visited Long Pond School, Charles Parker INIaster. Children 32. 
Well provided with suitable books, 1 in letters 3 in 2 syllables, 13 in 
easy lessons 9 in Preceptor 6 in Geog, 2 parsed Grammar, 1 in arith- 
metic. The Master very modest. The School not quite reduced to 
order. 

'•Dec 12 No 4 

" Visited lligli street James Chadwick master. Children 30. Some 
deficiency in books, 1 in letters, 1 in 2 sylables, 2 in plain reading, 5 in 
3 sylables, 8 in Preceptor 13 in Geog, 14 writers, 1 in Arithmetic & 1 
parsed English. The Master very easy in instruction & government. 

" Sayne dni/ No 5 

" Visited Fish street ]\Iiss Mary Eames Instructress. Children 16, 
1 in Abs, 4 in two sylables, 2 in plain reading, 3 in Preceptor, 6 in 
Geog, 1 in Grammar, 6 writers, & 1 in Arit! metic. None in the Bible. 
The scliool not yet organized, the School Mistress capable. 

"Dec 19 No 1 

" Visited King street School. 58 children, Enoch Corser Master. 
The School not quite organized, 24 read in Geog well except 7, 19 in 
Preceptor generally backward. The above 43 read Bible once a day, 4 
in three sylables dull, 3 parsed correctly & 2 beginners, 26 writers 
mostly good, & 5 in Arithmetic forward. 

'' Dec20 No 8 

" Visited Bashan School: 20 children Dan' Smith Master. The 
School not as yet formed to order, 10 writers very good, 2 in abs, 1 in 
monosylables, 2 in three sylables, 1 ditto better, 2 in 2 sylables & very 



1827.] EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 289 

well, 1 read the Hist of Indian Wars acceptably, 2 in Preceptor new 
Schollars & backward, 4 in English reader too fast, 4 in the Art of 
Reading well — 1 committing grammar & 2 parsed accurately, none in 
Arithmetic. The Master's deportment good. 
" Jan 15 No 3 

" Visited School Corser Hill 61 children 20 girls 41 boys, Benjamin 
Gookin Master. 

1^' Class 15 in Geog. 

2^1 C 6 in Webster 3 P. 

31 C 12 in Preceptor. 

4'h C 4 in Testament. 

5"^ C 11 in Spelling, 4 Syl. well. 

6"> C 9 in 4 sylables 

1 in 2 sylables 

2 in letters 

20 writers, 10 in arith & 3 in Grammar. School well arranged & 
governed. 

" Feb 14"! No 6 

" Visited School Little Hill .52 Schol. Well arranged in a new & 
commodious School house under the care of Mr Smith 
1 class 3 in 2 sylables 
4 in 3 " 

4 in Poetical lessons Spell B. well. 
10 in Preceptor 
4 in English Reader — well 
27 in Geog — some too fast, others slow. 
17 parsed grammar. 

33 Spelt in Dict'y, Girls better than boys 
4 in Arithmetic. 
26 in writing. 
This School promises fair. 
" Feb 9 No 10 

" Visited this School under the care of Mrs Sally Martin 16 children 
This School is backward, being quite a new District, but well arranged 
& very ambitious." 

SUMMARY. 

"Your Committee are presented with a very pleasing prospect, in 
the recommendment of the several Schools in town in the winter term- 
There are two Instructresses and seven Instructors whose qualifica- 
tions are very apparent in the order & arrangement of the schollars as 
well as in the variety of studies introduced. 

" In those schools where books were very deficient now a good 
supply of new & suitable books are introduced. 
19 



290 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY, [1829. 

" We observe a change of schollars, many young men & women in 
the pLace of Smaller ones who cannot attend. In this course of visits 
■we have room to believe the winter term will be satisfactory to the dis- 
tricts & greatly to the advantage of schollars both great & small." 

The reports of the superintending committee from year to year 
show a marked progress. Arithmetic becomes a fundamental 
study. Morse's Geography, instead of being a reading-book, is 
used as a separate study. The "English Reader" takes the place 
of the American Preceptor. The Catechism disappears. The , 
Englisli Reader, Thomson's Seasons, Young's Night Thoughts, 
and Paradise Lost, become " parsing books." 

During the second and third decades of the present century, 
" select " schools were kept on Corser hill. Little hill, and the 
Plain. Students from Dartmouth college were usually employed. 
Thus gradually the plane of education advanced. 

BOSCAWEN ACADEMY. 

The need of permanent educational facilities of a higher grade 
was keenly felt, and measures were taken to establish an acade- 
m^^ The sum of $1,136 was subscribed for the erection of a 
suitable building. Joseph Chadwick gave tlie land upon which 
the building was erected, conveying it to the following named 
gentlemen, who had consented to act as trustees : Rev. Samuel 
Wood, Rev. Ebenezer Price, John Gi^eenough, Henrj^ Gerrish, 
Isaac Gerrish, Thomas Coffin, Hezekiah Fellows, Simeon B. Little, 
John Parmer; 

March 29, 1827. At a meeting of the trustees, it was voted to 
apply to the legislature for an act of incorporation. Academy 
building was erected during the year. Rev. Dr. Wood, beside 
making a generous donation, gave the shingles covering it, — 
shaved by his own hands. 

The bell was the gift of Daniel Webster. Ezekiel Webster 
gave liberally to aid in the construction of the building, which 
was erected by Capt. William Abbot. 

The school went into operation the last Wednesday in April, 
1828, Miss Sarah Crocker, j^receptress, whose compensation was 
$3.50 per week. 

Feb. 11, 1829. The trustees voted that the committee proffer 
an instructor $150, and the tuition of the male dej^artment. The 



1856.] EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 291 

committee made a contract with Mr. Jarvis Gregg as Principal 
for four 3'ears on the above terms, the tuition being fixed at $3 a 
quarter, — he providing fuel and his own board. 

Eev. Mr. Wood, Eev. Mr. Price, and Ezekiel Webster, Esq., 
were chosen a committee to fix upon the solid branches of learn- 
ing. 

Oct. 28, Voted, that the approbation of the trustees be given 
to Miss Crocker, at the close of the public examination, and that 
it be conveyed to her in writing. 

Miss Crocker tauglit a female department in the spring of 1828. 
The male department was opened by Mr. Gregg in either the sum- 
mer or fall term, — tliere being two terms during the year. The 
number of pupils during the term was eighty-six. 

Jan. 19, 1829. The trustees voted unanimously, " that the 
thanks of the Board be presented to the Hon. Daniel Webster for 
his very generous donation of a suitable bell for our academy, and 
that the President communicate the same in the manner he shall 
deem the most respectful." 

In 1830, Mr. Gregg was released from his contract, and was 
succeeded by Mr. Charles Kittredge. 

LIST OF IICSTRUCTORS. 

1828. Miss Sarah Crocker. 

1829. Jarvis Gregg. 

1830-32. Charles Kittredge, Miss Sarah Crocker. 

1833. Miss Parker. 

1834. Miss Axtell. 

1835. Mr. Breed Batchelder. 

1836. Mr. Breed Batchelder, Miss Sarah Poster. 

1837. Miss Gray. 

1838. Mr. Nathan Ballard. 

1840. Joseph L. Lord. 

1841. Spaulding. 

1856. Jonathan Tenney. 

The trustees, in 1856, voted to loan the building to Mr. Tenney 
for a term of twenty j^ears, the lessee having the right to make 
such alterations in the building as he might deem necessary. Ex- 
tensive alterations were made, and the school became widely 



292 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1872. 

known as the Elmwood Institute. In 18G8 the lease was can- 
celled by mutual agreement. 

In 1870, the building was rented by the trustees to School Dis- 
trict No. 1, on annual rental of $125. In 1872, it was voted that 
'^ in the opinion of the trustees it is for the interest of all concerned 
that the academy building and grounds be disposed of, the avails 
invested, and the increase appropriated for educational purposes. 

'' Voted to sell the building and grounds for $2000, with the 
condition that the bell shall not be disposed of, but kept in the 
building as at present." 

The funds thus obtained were invested in 1874 in the Penacook 
Savings Bank, the principal never to be Avithdrawn without the 
consent of a majority of the district. 

PENACOOK ACADEMY. 

The citizens of Fisherville, feeling the need of better educa- 
tional privileges than those furnished by the towns, in the winter 
of 18GG established the Penacook Academy. 

The first meeting for organization was held January 26. The 
following week the stockholders voted to proceed with the erection 
of suitable buildings. Hon. William H. Gage generously con- 
tributed a large lot of land. 

The school was ojiened November 6, the same year. The 
first board of instruction consisted of M. Weed, A. M., Mrs. 
Mary A. W^eed, and Miss Eliza T. Moore. Prof. Weed died 
June 28, 1867, and was succeeded by A. C. Stockin, A. m., who 
was succeeded in the spring of 1869 by J. F. Fielding, A. m. In 
the summer of 1870, Hiram B. Lawrence, A. m., was elected prin. 
cipal. Prof. E. C. Allen succeeded to the principalship in the fall 
of 1872. In the spring of 1875, A. C. Hardy, A. m., took charge 
of the school, changing its name, to specify its design and plan^ 
to Penacook Normal Academy. Its curriculum was made very 
much broader, and the course of study greatly enlarged; and the 
academy was put upon a footing that made it the peer of any 
school of its class in New England. The school was arranged in 
five departments, — Preparatory, Normal, Business, Scientific, and 
Classical. The board of instruction was enlarged from three to 
nine. Competent teachers were employed. 

Thus, by the liberality and energetic action of the trustees of 







< 

o 

o 



flH 



1712.] EDUCATIONAL HISTORY, 293 

the institution, the people are in the enjoyment of superior edu- 
cational 2>rivileges. 

MUSICAL EDUCATION. 

The education of a community does not embrace merely those 
branches of learning taught in the public schools and academies : 
it includes the general culture of the communit}', — the advance- 
ment of art. Music has been classed in times past as one of the 
" fine" or '•polite " arts, but in these later days it has come to be 
recognized as a branch of general education. 

Previous to the present century, music had made little progress in 
America. The Pilgrims brought with them Ainsworth's Version 
of the Psalms, which was used in the church at Plymouth from 
1620 to 1732. The Psalms, as translated by the divines sum- 
moned by King James, and the paraphrase as made by Ains- 
worth, were printed in pai'allel columns. The first Psalm was 
thus rendered : 



King James's Version. 
Psahn I. 

" Blessed is the man that doeth 
not walk in the Counsell of the 
wicked ; nor Stand in the way of 
Sinners; nor sit in the seat of the 
scornfull. 

" 2 J5ut hath his delight in the 
law of Icdiovah and in his law 
doeth meditate day & night.'" 



Ainsworth's Paraphrase. 
Psalm I. 

"10 Blessed that doth not in 
the wicked's counsell walk; nor 
stand in sinner's way; nor sit 
in the seat of scornfull folk. 

2 But setteth in Jehovah's law, 
his pleasureful delight; And in 
his law doth meditate by day & 
eke by night." 



In 1640 the Bay State Psalm Book was published, which was 
in use for more than a century. The metrical structure of the 
Psalms was nearly the same as in AinsAvorth. The 133d was 
thus rendered : 

'' 1 How good and sweet to see 
it's for brethren to dwell 
together in uuitee: 

" 2 It's like choice oyle that fell 
the head upon, 
that downe did flow 
the beard unto 
beard of Aron : 



294 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1712. 

The skirts of his garment 
that unto them went down. 

" 3 Like Herman's dews descent 
Sion's mountains upon, 
for there to bee 

the Lord's blessing 

life aye lasting 
commandeth hee." 

This book Avas a great favorite. It was revised and reprinted, 
in 1758, Ly Eev. Thomas Prince, pastor of the Old South Church, 
Boston ; and it is almost certain that the first settlers of Boscawen 
were accustomed to sing such poetry in their Sunday service. 

It is probable that those who came to Contoocook from New- 
bury were acquainted with Eev. Mr. Tufts's music-book, as Mr. 
Tufts was pastor of the Second church in ISTewbury, and in 1712 
published a book containing twenty-eight tunes with rules. It 
bore the following title : 

" A very plain and Easy Introduction to the Art of Singing Psalm 
Tunes; With the Cantus or Trebles of Twenty-eight Psalm Times Con- 
trived in such manners as tliat the Learner may attain the Skill of 
Singing them, with the greatest Ease and Speed imaginable." 

Instead of notes, the first letter of each syllable was printed on 
the staffs,— f for/«, 1 for la. People sang by rote, and in conse- 
quence the melodies underwent many transformations. 

Rev. Mr. Walters, a Avriter of tlie period, thus portrays the 
singing of his time : 

" Singing sounds like five hundred different tunes roared out at the 
same time. The singers often are two words apart, producing noises 
so hideous and disorderly as is bad beyond expression. The notes are 
prolonged so that I myself have twice in one note paused to take 
breath." 

As there were no rules, all sang as they pleased, without regard 
to time. Some of the ministers saw that a reform was impera- 
^tive ; that to have anything like uniformity in singing, there 
must be rules governing the rhythm and regulating the time ; 
that people must learn to sing by rule instead of by rote. Eev. 
Mr. Tufts, Eev. Cotton Mather, of Boston, and Eev. Mr. Walters, 
were zealous advocates for a reform. The attempt to bring about 



1770.] EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 295 

a new order of things produced great disturbance, and the excite- 
ment was at its height at the time the settlers of Contoocook be- 
gan their plantation. Ministers and people alike took sides upon 
the all-important question, the young people advocating a reform, 
and the old ones opposing it. Various were their objections. It 
was a new way ; it was not as good as the old way : there were so 
many tunes in Rev. Mr. Tufts's book — twenty-eight — that no one 
could ever learn them. The new way would make a disturbance 
in the churches. It grieved good men, exasperated them, and 
made them behave in a disorderly manner. The new way was 
popish ; it would lead to the introduction of instruments. The 
names of the notes, fa, sol, la, were blasphemous ! The old way 
was good enough ; the new way was a contrivance for designing 
jiersons to obtain money. The new way required a great deal of 
time to learn the rules ; it made the young disorderly ; it kept 
them from proper influences in the family. 

These and many other equally weighty objections to Mr. 
Tufts's method were gravely set forth in sermons preached by the 
conservative ministers of the old school, — for in those days, as now, 
and as will be to the end of time, there Avere the old and the new 
schools. 

The first settlers of Boscawen sang psalms. Not till a later 
day was there hymnology. In 1741, seven years after the settle- 
ment of Contoocook, Benjamin Franklin published an edition of 
Watts's Psalms and Hymns. About the same time Tait & Brady's 
''Book of Psalms & Metre " was published. 

In 1764, Josiah Flagg, of Boston, published a book containing 
one hundred and sixteen tunes and two anthems, — the first book 
printed in America with the music in four parts. 

In 1770, Mr. Billings published his first book, which became 
very popular. From that date to 1820 the musical compositions 
were in the style of Billings, Holden, Swan, and Reed. 

The first settlers of Boscawen knew very little in regard to 
music. It is probable that the best singer among them could not 
sing more than a dozen tunes, the Old Hundredth and Windham 
being two of the number. 

We may think of Dea. George Jackman, or Dea. Jesse Flan- 
ders, as sitting in front of the pulpit in the old log meeting-house, 
and reading a line of Ainsworth's Paraphrase, and the congre- 



296 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1807. 

gation singing it — the air. That finished, a second line is read 
and sung, and so on through the psalm. 

During the closing decade of the last century, hymn-books were 
introduced, and with them came the bass-viol and other instru- 
ments. Those who opposed the new method introduced by Rev. 
Mr. Tufts, argued correctly in regard to the use of instruments. 
Before the introduction of the viols, a pitch-pipe was used for 
"setting" the tune. The introduction of stringed and wind 
instruments produced a second excitement akin to that which 
agitated the churches a half century previous. Those who had 
the hardihood to play a viol were contemptuously called "fiddlers." 
An eccentric citizen. Doctor Eaton, a veterinary practitioner, who 
lived in the " Hollow," never became reconciled to their use. He 
called them wooden and catgut gods, — and they who used them 
were serving the devil ! 

The first teacher of music in Boscawen, probably, was Dea. 
Enoch Little, whose efforts in that direction are set forth in 
another place [see Biog.]. Soon after, about 1795, Master Elagg, 
teacher in the common schools, taught singing on the Plain. 
Master Buell was another teacher of music. 

BOSCAWEN MUSICAL SOCIETY. 

At the close of the last century, or at the very beginning of the 
present, the Boscawen Musical Society was formed. It was in 
existence in 1801, as we know from an order given on the treasurer, 
Mr. Jeremiah Gerrish : 

" Boscawen, Jan. 29th, 1801. 
Mr. Jeremiah Gerrish 

Treasurer for Boscawen Musical Society. Please to pay Mr. Som- 
ersby Pearson two dollars & fifty-eight cents for Bass viol strings & 
Clarrinet Reed. 

Joshua Morse, 

for Comittee " 

In 1807 the society appears to have been in a flourishing condi- 
tion. Thomas Cox was employed to instruct the members in 
singing. 

" Boscawen Feb. 25, 1S08 
Lt Jeremiah Gerrish Treasurer for Boscawen Musical Society please 



1809.] EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 297 

to pay Thomas Cox Twenty Eight dolhxrs for teaching a singing school 

and tax on Singing Books. 

Soraersby Pearsons 

Beiij Clark [• Com." 

Joshua Morse ) 

Two of the members of the society were Daniel and Ezekiel 
Webster : both contributed to the funds. Daniel purchased a 
bassoon, and waited a long while for his pay, as will be seen by 
the following paper : 

OROER. 

"Lieut J Gerrish Treas of tlie IMnsical Society in Boscawen please to 
pay Mr Daniel Webster Esq, thirty-four Dollars a compen.^ation for a 
Bazoon by order. 

Somersby Pearson ") 
Joshua Morse > Com." 

Benj Clark ) 

" May 21st 1807 
Reced Twenty-three Dollars on this order 

D. Webster" 
*' January 18, 1811 Reed of Lt Jere Gerrish eleven dollars in full on 
this order. 

E Webster for 
D. AVebster." 

In 1810 we find Ezekiel Webster one of the committee of man- 
agement, as per the following order : 

ORDER. 

" Lt Jeremiah Gerrish Treasurer of the Boscawen Musical society. 
Sir, Please to pay Samuel W. Lang Twelve dollars out of the funds of 
the society it being for cash paid by him for Clarionett. 

Somersby Pearson ^ 
Ezekiel Webster I ^°'^^" 

In 1809, Mr. Joseph S. Garman was employed to teach singing- 
school, and the society purchased of him a bass-viol, paying $14. 
In 1812, John Kinney was instructor, and in 1815, Moses Win- 
gate. The funds of the society were obtained by annual tax and 
subscription. 

Under this organization singing greatly improved. The " Vil- 
lage Harmony " was the book generally used. At the west end, 
under the energetic leadership of Dea. Enoch Little, followed by 



298 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1821. 

Joseph Kimloall and Samuel Little, musical culture had a rapid 
advance. Isaac Noyes, living on Water st., hut attending meet- 
ing at the west end, hecame a proficient on the hass-viol. The 
choir under Dea. Little numhered ahout sixty. David S^Yeatt, 
still living, remembers a meeting of the choir on Corscr hill, and 
the singing of a select piece, — 

" Lord, what is man, — poor feeble raau, 
Born of the earth at first V 
His life's a dream, an empty show, 
Still hastening to the dust." 

It was the best singing he ever heard. 

Musical culture was advancing throughout the state. Rev. Dr. 
McFarland, of Concord, took great interest in its advancement, 
and through his instrumentality the " Central Musical Society " 
was formed, composed of the best singers and instrumental per- 
formers in Concord, Boscawen, Hopkinton, Dunbarton, and ad- 
joining towns. 

MARTIX LUTHER SOCIETY. 

On Dec. 4, 1S21, the prominent singers of the town met at the 
house of Benj. T. Kimball, on Water street, and organized a soci- 
ety for the cultivation of music of a higher order than had been 
attempted up to that time. The leading spirits in the enterprise 
were Benj. T. Kimball, Dr. John Rogers, Capt. J. C. Plummer, 
Henry Little, S. B. Little, Henry Little, Jr., Enoch Little, Stephen 
Sweat, Benj. Morrill, Nathaniel Morrill, Jeremiah Gerrish, of Bos- 
cawen, and Wm. G. Emerson. They applied for an act of incorpo- 
ration, which was granted July 3, 1822. Dr. John Rogers, a prom- 
inent physician, was elected president and leader. The society 
purchased the " Old Colony Collection of Anthems," the " Handel 
and Haydn Collection," and the " Social Harmony," — collections 
containing music of a high order from Handel, Haydn, Mozart, 
Beethoven, and an oratorio, " The Intercession," by King. The 
music required a much higher degree of culture than the music 
of b^^-gone da3's. Under the able leadership of Dr. Rogers the 
society made great progress, and soon brought about a revolution 
in the style of music used on the Sabbath. The fugues, that for a 
third of a century had been the delight of the people, gave place to 



1833.] EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 299 

compositions richer in liarmony, — tlie productions of the masters 
whose compositions still have power to charm the human ear. 

From 1822 to 1830 the society maintained its vigor. It num- 
bered about fifty members, male and fernale. It was reorganized 
in 1837, at the house of Alonzo C. Chadwick, who was elected pres- 
ident, and who was succeeded by J. H. Coffin, now of Portland ; 
but emigration was telling upon the community, and other forces 
were at work to disintegrate the society, and the members, after a 
wliile, ceased to meet. 

The bassoon jJ^n'chased by Daniel Webster, the bass-viol by 
Ezekiel Webster and Joshua Morse, from the old Boscawen so- 
ciety, were handed down to this organization, and quite likely may 
still be in existence in some garret. 

During the tAvo decades, — 1820 to 1840, — the choirs in town 
were accompanied by a variety of stringed and wind instruments 
— bass and double-bass viols, violins, flutes, clarionettes, bugles, 
and French horns. 

At the east end, John Jackman, Dr. John Rogers, Alonzo C. 
Chadwick, and Charles J. Chadwick played the viols, Jacob Gerrish 
the flute, J. H. Coffin the trombone, which Eev. Mr. Price, not 
for the moment remembering the name, once appropriately^ called 
a " shoveration." 

At the west end, Moses Thurston, Henry Little, Frederick 
Price, F. W. Coffin, and Enoch Coffin were violists, Sullivan 
Jackman played the bugle, Moses Bailey, M. G. Farmer, and 
Bitfield P. Little clarionettes. 

In 1837, at the installation of Eev. E. Buxton, J. H. Coffin 
played a melodeon, an instrument moved by the arm, just 
then invented, manufactured by Charles Austin, of Concord, who 
also began the manufacture of seraphines. Dea. Jeremiah Gerrish, 
long the. leader of the choir, an ardent lover of music, purchased 
the first instrument of this class maniifactured in America. Miss 
Polly L. Gerrish, his daughter, endowed in a remarkable degree 
with musical genius, soon became an efficient and cultivated 
player. The introduction of this instrument soon led to the 
purchasing of one of greater power for the choir, supplemented 
at a still later date by the instrument now in use. 

In 1833, E". D. Gould, of Boston, taught a juvenile school at 
the academy, also one for adults. He was a composer as well as 



300 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1850. 

teacher, and some of his contributions are still in use, — especially 
the tune '" Woodland," to the words, — 

" There is a home for weary souls, 
By sin and sorrow driven : 
When tossed on life's tempestuous shoals, 
Where storms arise and ocean rolls, 
There's nothing true but heaven." 

The refined taste of Dea. Gould had a marked influence upon 
the singers of the period. 

At the east end, Prof. John Jackman, at an early date, ob- 
tained a "seraphine." In 1840, Benjamin Morrill began the 
manufacture of musical instruments in the house now occupied 
by Charles E. Chadwick. 

The same year the choir at the west end employed Wm. D. 
Buck, — then of Concord, later, physician at Manchester, — to teach 
.music. He was an energetic instructor, an organist, and far bet- 
ter acquainted with the science of music than any one that had 
preceded him. He taught, also, at the west end in 1841, and at 
the same time at the cast end. He introduced the " Boston Acad- 
emy" collection of sacred music, and established the choirs in both 
churches on a new foundation. He was followed at the east end 
by J. C. Cram, and other teachers, while at the west end, or at 
Bashan, Enoch Coflfin, Enoch Little, J. P. Farmer, Jeremiah Kun- 
nels, and C. C. Coffin taught, followed, in later years, by James L. 
Gerrish and Henry Pearson. At the east end, Prof. John Jack- 
man has supplemented the labors of his jiredecessors. 

From 1840 to 1850, several of the singers of Boscawen attend- 
ed the annual sessions of the Boston Academy of Music. 

In musical culture Boscawen and Webster have ever maintain- 
ed high rank. The impetus given by Dea. Enoch Little, from 
1790 to 1800, never has lost its force. Successive leaders have 
lighted, as it were, their torches by the fire kindled by him, in 
the house of Henry L. Dodge, nearly a century ago, and given 
to the towns a standing in musical culture unequalled by any 
other rural community. 






?»»<-„ 



4* 






^-r 




^f!-" 



/7?i^' 



BIOGEAPHIOAL HISTOET- 



HE men wlio lay the foundation of society, and tliose wlio 
rear the superstructure of a Christian civilization, are worthy 
of all honor. In all ages, in every land, by every people, they 
who do great things for their fellow-men are held in honorable re- 
membrance. The Assyrians placed their heroes in the heavens, 
enthroning them amid the stars. We behold their warrior Nimrod, 
the Orion of the Bible, nightly making the circuit of the heavens, 
the briglitest constellation of the northern sky. The Greeks 
found j)laces for their heroes in the Pantheon, amid the gods. 
The people of China guard with reverential care the halls of their 
ancestors, and, in their reachings after immortality, picture to 
themselves the filial devotion of dutiful sons, who will rear tablets 
to their memory in the halls of their fathers. It will be the con- 
summation of eternal bliss to be held in remembrance by their 
sons for their virtuous acts. The Norsemen pictured to them- 
selves a Valhalla, where the great and good should live forever. 
And, to-day, Germany rears her Hall of Fame, where those who 
have served, their country well shall be forever held in remem- 
brance. So we rear our memorial structure to commemorate the 
dead. 

The recital of what men have done for their fellow-men is ever 
an incentive to right action, and the narration of the events of an 
honorable and virtuous life is a stimulus to those still toiling 
along the weary way. So we make record of those who have hon- 
ored the town that gave them birth, or that may claim them as her 
sons. Only brief outlines of their lives can be given. What 
other locality can present such a roll of honor as Boscawen and 
Webster ? 



302 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

First in lionorable mention we place those who laid the founda- 
tions, — who cleared the forests ; who reared their humble homes in 
the wilderness ; who braved the dangers of a frontier life through 
a dark and gloomy period, when vigilance was the price of life — 
the preservation of themselves and those whom the}' held most 
dear ; who established the church and the school ; who were un- 
swerving patriots Avhen Liberty called them. Through the trials, 
hardships, and devotion of the first settlers of Contoocook ; through 
their religious convictions, making the maintenance of relig- 
ious institutions their first duty ; through the patriotism of the 
men of the Revolution, — all subsequent events became possible. 
"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." There is 
no grander law in nature. No community can reap a harvest of 
men, without sowing the seed that produces men. The settlers 
of Contoocook comprehended this divine law : they sowed good 
seed, and, lo, the harvest ! 



FIEST SETTLERS. 



BARKER, DAVID. 



Nothing definite is known in regard to this settler. His name 
does not appear upon the proprietors' records. He was not a 
proprietor. It is probable that he did not long remain. 

BEAN, SINKLER. 

This settler, the first of the name of all those of the Merrimack 
valley, so far as is known, came with the first party in 1734. He 
remained in Contoocook till the settlement of Salisbury, when he 
became a resident of that town, where many of his descendants 
now reside. His name appears frequently upon the records, ap- 
pointed on committees in positions of trust and honor. He was a 
leading and influential citizen in Salisbury. 

BOWEN, JOHN. 

Diligent research fails to discover whence this settler came. 
It is probable that he was related to Anthony and Henry Bowen, 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 303 

of Penacoolc, and in-obably a brother of Peter, wlio killed Sabbatis 
and Plansawa. He served as a ranger, and had a great antipathy 
to the Indians. 

EOHONNOX, ANDREW. 

He was a native of Ireland. It is not known what year he em- 
igrated to America. He was unmarried in 1734, when he became 
a settler in Contoocook, marrying Tabitha Flanders, daughter of 
Dea. Jacob Flanders, who was born April 7, 1711. Fle became 
an active citizen. He was a man of great energy and endurance. 
In 1755 he enlisted for six months in Col. Blanchard's regiment, 
for an expedition against Crown Point. The regiment had its 
rendezvous at South Franklin, on the Webster farm, now the 
Home for Orphans. Several weeks were spent in building 
boats, in which the regiment was to ascend the Merrimack and 
Baker's river to Warren, transport the boats to the Connecticut, 
and from thence ascend some branch of that stream which would 
take them to Lake Champlain ! — so little understood was the geog- 
raphy of Vermont at that time. When it was discovered that 
such a route was impossible, the regiment descended the Merri- 
mack to Nashua, and from thence marched to Worcester and 
Albany. 

At this date Bohonnon probably resided on land now owned by 
Mrs. Farnum Coffin, at the southerly end of Water street, but 
soon after removed to Salisbury, settling near the south village. 
He was active in the public affairs of that town. During the 
Eevolution he was a devoted patriot, and served as lieutenant in 
Capt. Ebenezer Webster's company in the battle of Bennington. 

He had several sons, who were also actiA^e patriots ; — Jacob, who 
was a private in Capt. Webster's company ; Annaniah, who en- 
listed for three years, in 1780, in Capt. Gray's company, Scammel's 
regiment. Continental troops; Stephen, another son, who was a 
soldier at West Point at the time of Arnold's treason, and was 
sentinel at Washington's head-quarters the night after the discov- 
ery. He stated that Washington spent the entire night in 
writing. 

Andrew Bohonnon died in Salisbury, at an advanced age. 

BISHOP, JOSIAH. 

Of the parentage of Josiali Bishop, nothing is known. It is 



304 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 

probable that he came from Newbiny with his family in 1733. He 
lived at the southerly end of King street. Upon the outbreak of 
hostilities with the Indians in 1746, he was captured while at 
w^ork in the field, and taken into the woods. [See Civil Hist.] He 
was determined not to go to Canada a prisoner, and resisted the 
Indians, who buried their tomahawks in his skull, as was after- 
wards ascertained. 

BITRRAXK, MOSES, CAPT. 

He came from Bradford. The records of the proprietors make 
no mention of his being elected captain over any military organi- 
zation in Contoocook, and it may be inferred that he received his 
title before moving into the town. In 1746, at tlie time of 
the Indian outbreak, the settlers formed themselves into a 
military band, and Capt. Eollins was elected coinmander ; but 
there is no evidence that he remained long in town. It is known 
that the military organization was kept up during the Indian 
troubles, and it is possible that Capt. Burbank was the com- 
mander. He resided on Queen street, on what has since been 
known as the " Clark " farm. He married Sarah Emery, prob- 
ably sister of Edward Emery. He reared a family of six sons and 
three daughters, and was the progenitor of the Burbank family in 
Boscawen and vicinity. His name frequently appears upon the 
records as a piiblic officer, and as member of committees. The 
date of his birth is not known, nor his death, but he was in the 
full possession of his mental powers in 1792, when he gave his 
deposition to Col. Henry Gerrish, stating the number of settlers 
in the town in 1733, and the number of proprietors' rights partially 
improved. 

CALL, PHILIP. 

One of the most active of the first settlers upon the outbreak of 
Indian hostilities, in 1744, was Philip Call, who had moved to 
Contoocook 1733. His name appears upon the roll of Capt. Jere- 
miah Clough's company as a scout, from September 26 to Decem- 
ber 18 of that year, receiving as wages, £3 10s. ; for provisions, 
£3 3s. He was out with Capt. Clough again in 1745, from Jan- 
uary 21 to March 18 ; and again in 1746, from July 4 to Decem- 
ber 4 ; and again in 1747, from June 5 to November 12. 

After the close of hostilities in 1749, he moved up the Merri- 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 305 

mack, a little more than a mile beyond the line of Contoocook, to 
the fertile intervale of Bakerstown (South Franklin), and beo-an 
a clearing on the Webster farm. While living there, in 1754, the 
' Indians made a descent upon the jjlace, and killed Mrs. Call as 
already narrated in the journal of events. It is supposed that 
Philip Call lived and died in Salisburj', and that he was buried in the 
cemetery at South Franklin ; but no stone marks his resting-place. 
It is not unlikely that the Indians were well acquainted with Philip 
Call. He was a good Indian lighter, and possibly they took particu- 
lar pleasure in making a descent upon his place. His son Stephen 
was one of the first selectmen of Salisbury, upon the organization 
of the town in 1768. He served in Capt. Webster's company, 
Col. Nichols's regiment, in the Ehode Island campaign, 1776, 
The Call family of Franklin and Hill are descendants of Philip. 

COOK, THOMAS. 

This enterprising settler, soon after moving into town in 1733, 
instead of remaining at the " town " on King street, pushed north- 
west, and built a cabin near " Mutton " road, leading from Corser 
hill to Salisbury. It stood near " Little" brook, from which he 
obtained water. The place is now marked by the stump of a large 
pine, which was felled a few years since by Mr. Luther Titcomb. 

^ The reason which prompted Mr. Cook to push six miles beyond 
his fellow-citizens was undoubtedly the desire to be conveniently 
near a locality where he could obtain an abundance of fresh meat. 
There were patches of meadow around " Couch " pond, and on 
Beaver-dam brook, which were favorite resorts for deer,' and by 
locating in the vicinity Mr. Cook would have his provisions near 
at hand. 

Upon the breaking out of hostilities in 1746, Mr. Cook deemed 
it prudent to leave his cabin. He was at work near Clay hill, 
with others, on the 4th of Muy, 1746, when the Indians fired up- 
on the party, killing him and a negro— Cfesar, slave to Eev. Mr. 
Stevens. [See Civil History.] It is stated that Ciesar, though 
wounded, fought with great bravery, and was only despatched 
after a fearful struggcle. 

By building his cabin so far in advance of his neighbors, Mr. 
Cook has given a name to the eminence north of the place where 
it stood, — Cook's hill. 
20 



306 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

CORSER, JOHN. 

Tradition has it, that this settler came from Scotland to New- 
bury about 1690, at the age of fourteen. It is more probable, how- 
ever, that he came to Newbury from Boston or vicinity. He 
married in Newbury. The records of Newbury have the following : 

"JolmCorser & Tabitha Kenny of Newbury were married March 
ye 8'hl716|17." 

In 1735, he moved to Contoocook with his family of seven chil- 
dren. His eldest son, John, Jr., had then settled in Kingston, 
N. H. He resided for several years on King street, and, with 
others, erected the first saw-mill. While tending it he met with 
an accident which deprived him of his sight. His death is sup- 
posed to have occurred in 1776. 

His son John came from Kingston to Boscawen about 1764, and 
settled on Corserhill, on the farm now owned by Mr. Tilton. Other 
facts concerning the first settler, John, will be found in the gene- 
alogy of the Corser family. 

DAGADOX, WILLIAM. 

He was a settler of 1733, and located his farm between Queen 
street and Contoocook river, west of Fisherville, near Concord 
line. His name appears in the proprietors' records as Dagadon, 
Digodon, Dagodon, and Dogodan. The small brook which emp- 
ties into the Contoocook west of Fisherville bears his name. It 
is not known that he took any active part in the affairs of the 
town. 

DANFORTH, WILLIAM. 

He was probably a son, possibly grandson, of William, who was 
born in London in 1653, and who came to Newbury about 1667. 
He took an active part in all matters pertaining to the good of 

the settlement. He married Flood, a sister of Bichard 

Flood, one of the first settlers. He aided in the erection of the 
first saw-mill. 

DANFORTH, NATHAXIEL. 

Whether he was a brother or cousin to William is not quite 
clear. He came to Contoocook in 1733. Probably he was then 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 307 

married. His daughter Abigail, born Jan. 1, 1735, was the first 
child born in the town, who married Thomas Foss, and resided 
on Fish street. Nathaniel Danforth's son Alkanner served as 
a soldier during the Revolution. 

William and Nathaniel Danforth were men of decision and 
firmness, characteristics that have been transmitted to their de- 
scendants. 

EASMAN, JOSEPH. 

In the proprietors' records, the name now spelled as Eastman 
is given as above. Rev. Mr. Price has recorded the name of 
Joseph Eastman as one of the first settlers. Later inquiries indi- 
cate that he did not come as a permanent settler till a year or 
two later, though it is possible he began his improvements in 
1733. 

He was grandson of Roger Eastman, the first of the name in 
America, and who came from Wales to Salisbury in 1640. He 
was a prominent citizen. His son Joseph was captain of a com- 
pany of rangers in the French and Indian wars. 

EMERY, EDWARD. 

The ancestor of Edward Emery probably was John Emery, who 
came from Hants, England, to Newbury in 1635. He died in 
November, 1683. He had sons, — John, born in England about 
1629; — a daughter, who was named Ebenezer, Sept. 16, 1648. 
The Newbury records have this concerning her birth : "■ Born 
Monday morning, two hours before day." He had a son, Jona- 
than, born May 13, 1652. John married Marj^ Webster, of Ips- 
wich, widow of John Webster, and reared a large family. 

Jonathan married Mary Woodman, and had children, — Mary 
C, Sept. 25, 1677 ; Jonathan, Feb. 2, 1679 ; David, Sept. 28, 
1682 ; Anthony, Nov. 13, 1684 ; Stephen, June 13, 1687, died 
1688 ; Sara, Dec. 18, 1688 ; Stephen, again, June 24, 1692 ; Ed- 
ward, Nov. 10, 1694. 

The youngest son removed to Contoocook in 1733. He was an 
active, influential citizen, and took a prominent part in all the 
affairs of the plantation. 

During the peace which followed the first outbreak of hostili- 
ties with the Indians, Mr. Emery, thinking to obtain his veni- 



308 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

son near at hand, on tlie favorite haunts of the deer, erected a 
house on land now owned by Miss Nancy Couch, at the foot of 
Corser hill. It stood on the south side of the road, near the brook 
running to Couch pond. It was, after Thomas Cook's cabin, the 
first house erected in what is now the town of Webster. Mr. Em- 
ery was occupying it at the time of the second Indian outbreak, 
but moved his family to the fort the daj^ before the Indians 
made their appearance in the vicinit}^ [see Civil History]. It was 
rifled by the Indians. There is no evidence that Mr. Emery ever 
reoccttpied it. 

He was one of the most influential citizens, and his name fre- 
Cjuently appears in the records as one often selected to transact 
public business. In 1756 he accompanied Ezekiel Flanders to 
Newfound lake to hunt beaver, where both were killed by the Ind- 
ians. 

FITZGERALD, EDWARD. 

One of the most active and influential of the settlers of '33 was 
Edward Fitzgerald, who was born in Ireland, but who emigrated 
to America at an early age, and lived in Newbury, where he 
married Mehitable XJran. He settled on Queen street, where his 
wife died May 16, 1808, aged 90. They had a family of two sons 
and eight daughters. The family name has undergone many 
changes, it appearing in the records as Fitz Gerald and Fitz Ger- 
auld. About the year 1775 the prefix was dropped, and the name 
appears as Gerald, Gerould, Gerauld, Jareld, Jerald, Jerril, Jeril, 
and Geruld. 

FLOOD, RICHARD. 

In 1680, Philip Flood, of Guernsey, England, came to America, 
and settled in Newbury, where his son Eichard was born Feb. 25, 
1696. His name appears frequently in the proprietor's records. 
He came to Contoocook in 1734. He was active in the defence 
of the town against the Indians in 1744, when he went out on a 
scouting party. His son Kichard married Farnum, of Con- 
cord, and became a citizen of that town, serving as a soldier dur- 
ing the Revolution. His sister married William Danforth. 

FLAKDERS, JACOB. 

He was grandson of Stephen Flanders, the first and only emi- 
grant of that name, who came from England to Salisbury, with 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 309 

his wife Jane, between 1640-164G, and was one of the first 
settlers of that town. The grandson was born Aug. 5, 1689, in 
Salisbury, and consequently was forty-five years of age when he 
came from South Hampton to Contoocook, with his wife Mercy 
Clough. He was one of the first settlers, and it is not strange 
that he was looked up to as a leading spirit. He was one of the 
committee to build the first meeting-house, and his son Jesse was 
elected the second deacon of the church. His son Ezekiel was 
killed by the Indians while hunting beaver at Newfound lake, 
1756. His son Philip served in several campaigns against the 
Erench and Indians, and was killed at Crown Point the same 
year. The eldest daughter, Tabitha, married Andrew Bohonnon 
[see above], and lived to an advanced age. 

His sons, Dea. Jesse and John, enlisted in Capt. Henrj^ Dear- 
born's company in Arnold's expedition to Quebec, 1776, and 
endured all the hardships of that terrible campaign. 

Eev. Dr. Bouton, in the History of Concord, alludes to the 
Flanders family of Boscawen as men of great muscular strength 
and endurance. 

The descendants of Jacob Flanders and Mary Clough may be 
reckoned by hundreds, if not by thousands. 

FOWLER, JOHN, 

Came from Newbury, and lived on Queen street. He prob- 
ably was married at the time of his settlement in Contoocook. 
His second wife was Mrs. Anna Bamford, whose maiden name was 
Anna Ellison, whose brother was grandfather of Hon. Benjamin 
E. Butler, of Lowell. His name frequently appears in the records 
as an active citizen. 

GEERISir, STEPHEN. 

One of the leading men among the first settlers was Captain 
Stephen Gerrish. It is probable that none of them had a 
larger estate to begin with than he, for they were begin- 
ning life, with little more than their own strong hands and reso- 
lute wills. He was born in Newbury, June 3, 0. S. 1712, and 
was but twenty-two years of age when he came to Contoocook, 
with his ox team and plow^ — the first in the town. 



310 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

He was a leading spirit, took an active part in all matters per- 
taining to the welfare of the community, and was often appointed on 
committees by his fellow proprietors. He established the first 
ferr}^, was thrifty, and accumulated a large estate. Eev. Mr. 
Price says of him, — 

" He was particularly prepared to advance the settlement of a 
new country, being young, robust, acquainted with husbandr}', 
enterprising, industrious, economical. Though his education was 
small and his manners unpolished, yet his strength of mind, his 
frankness, and sympathetic feelings, rendered him useful and 
agreeable. He well knew the discouragements and wants of a 
new settlement, and to him many resorted for succor. Possessing 
both the means and the disposition, he was liberal and hospitable, 
— a friend and father to multitudes. He died 1788, having lived 
to see his children settled and prosperous, and useful members of 
both civil and religious societies." 

Mr. Gerrish resided at the loAver end of King street, and for a 
time, near the close of his life, he lived upon one of his farms in 
Canterbury, on the intervale below " Muchyedo." 

He married, first, Elizabeth Chase, probably of Newbury, who 
died some time between 1734 and 1740, leaving no children. His 
second wife was Joanna Hale, of Newbury, to whom he was mar- 
ried in 1741, Avho became the mother of five sons and one daughter, 
— Henry, Samuel, Enoch, Joseph, Stephen, and Jane, — from whom 
has descended a numerous posterity [see Genealogy]. 

Although a citizen of sterling worth, and a supporter of civil 
and religious institutions, it appears that he was habitually pro- 
fane. One of his descendants, Eev. Jacob Little, in a biographi- 
cal notice of his mother, Mrs. Martha Gerrish Little, while quot- 
ing the eulogium pronounced by Rev. Mi*. Price, says, — " The only 
words of his which have come down are a profane oath sworn on a 
public occasion." 

Aside from this one blemish, Captain Gerrish seems to have 
been in every other respect worthy of honor. He was residing in 
Canterbury in 1774, where he made his will, which is as follows : 

" Canterbury October ye 13tli 1774 
"This may certify -whom it may concern that I Stephen Gerrish of 
Canterbury in the county of Rockingham and Province of New Hamp- 
shire, Having the Day of the above Date, Settled my Estate by Deeds 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 311 

among my Children & cepting ray Stock Household furniture & XJten- 
tials for Husbandry, of which I hear leave as my Request & Desire and 
it is my will that they may be Disposed of in the following manner: 

"first that my Beloved wife Joanna have out of my stock one horse 
saddle & bridle & one Cow and five Sheep and also the one half of my 
household furniture to be her own forever. 

" Secondly it is my will that the Remainder of my stock & my uten- 
tials for Husbandry be equally Divided between my two sons Joseph 
and Stephen. 

" thirdly it is my Avill that the remaining half of my Household fur- 
niture be Equally Divided between my five sons, Henry, Samuel, 
Enoch, Joseph & Stephen. 

" furthermore it is my will and Desire that my Debts be paid & my 
Dues Recieved of what name or Nature Soever Equally by and amongst 
ray five sons, Henry, Samuel. Enoch, Joseph, and Stephen. 
Witness by Stephen Gerrish 

George Jackman Joanna Gerrish 

Jeremiah C lough." 

GERRISH, JOAXXA HALE, MRS. 

Mrs. Joanna Hale Gerrish, a supposed descendant of Sir Mat- 
thew Hale's family, granddaughter of Rev. Joseph Hale, of Bev- 
erly, and daughter of Samuel and Ajiphia (Moody) Hale, was 
born in Newbury, June, 1715, and was married to Capt. Stephen 
Gerrish in 1741. She was a woman of strong character, and deeply 
religious, — in this respect differing widely from her husband, who 
was habitually profane, but who in all other respects was a kind 
and agreeable companion. Rev. Jacob Little says of her, — 

" She was eminently pious, left the Episcopal and joined the Congre- 
gational church to find Spirituality, & brought her branch of the Ger- 
rish family within the covenant. The only words of hers which have 
come down, are an expression which in extreme old age daily were uttered 
in her secret devotion. They were reported by an old lady who in 
childhood slept with her. This was the expression, 'Bless ray children 
to the latest generation.' She was instrumental in turning the current 
in the family, & her children, early pious, and her hundreds of descend- 
ants have generally embraced religion in youth & united with the 
church of her choice." 

Mrs. Gerrish died in 1792 at the age of 77, beloved and re- 
spected by all in the community. 



312 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



JACKMAN, GEORGE. 

He was born in Newbuiy, 1706-7. It is doubtful if he became 
a permanent settler in 1734, though it is probable that he began the 
improvements on his farm at that time. He married Hannah 
Bishop in 1728, and lived on the premises now owned by Prof. John 
Jackman. Upon the organization of the church he was elected 
deacon. He was an intelligent and influential citizen, greatly 
respected. His son George was first town-cleric and justice of 
the peace [see Biography]. 

JACKMAN, RICHARD. 

He was brother of George, born in Kewbury, Oct. 17, 1709. 
He married Martha Call, daughter of Philip Call, who was a vigi- 
lant citizen during the war with the Indians. Mrs. Jackman's 
mother was killed by the Indians at South Franklin [see History]. 

MANUEL, JOEL. 

Little is known in regard to this settler. Diligent search has 
failed to discover anything concerning his nativity. He came 
to Contoocook in 1734, and his name appears in several places as 
member of committees. His son John resided on High street, 
near the residence of Gen. E. G. Wood. The family is nearly if 
not quite extinct. 

MELOON, NATHANIEL. 

Patient research has not thrown much light upon the origin of 
this name, and nothing whatever is known of the nativity of this 
settler. It is supposed that he was of French or Flemish origin. 
The name is sometimes written Malon, Maloon, and IMelloon. 
From the frequent appearance of his name upon the records, it is 
evident that he was an influential citizen. He served as a soldier 
in scouting parties during the Indian troubles. 

In 1754, he moved to West Salisbury, to avail himself of the ex- 
tensive meadow lands in that vicinity. His nearest neighbor was 
Edward Emerj^, near Couch j)ond, four to five miles distant. 
There he was surprised, and with his family captured — all except 
one son — by the Indians [see History — year 1756]. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 313 

Upon his return from captivity lie reoccupiecl his premises, and 
became one of the active citizens of Salisbiuy, being frequently 
elected to town offices ; was selectman in 1791, when he was 
well adv'anced in life. His name is appended to the following 
paper : 

" VANDUK. 

" To be set up at public Vandue on Monday the 21 Day of Nov next 
at three Oclock P M. one Sarah Veza for Boarding, to be struck off to 
the lowest bider at the house of Stephen Webster 
" Nov ye 10, 1791 

Nathi Meloon 
Joel Eastman 

Selectmen of Salisbury." 

PETERS, WILLIAM. 

He was one of the settlers of 1733, but it is not known whence 
he came. He was sergeant in Capt. John Goffe's company in 
1748, employed in scouting, — enlisting May 28, discharged Oct. 5, 
his wages being £13 16s. 5d. Caleb Emery, Joseph Eastman, 
and William Courser, citizens of Contoocook, were in the same 
company. 

RIX, NATHANIEL. 

He appears to have been a settler in Contoocook. but it is prob- 
able that he soon removed to Concord, as the name of Nathaniel 
Kix appears u];)on the records of that town, and does not appear 
in the records of Boscawen. Nothing is known of him. 

KOLF, DANIEL. 

Tlie name is sometimes written Rolfe. It is probable he was 
related to the citizen of Concord of the same name, and to Benja- 
min Rolfe, not a first settler ; but nothing definite is known in 
regard to him. 



314 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



GENERAL BIOGRAPHY. 



ALDRICH, JOHN. 



Jolm Aldricli was born in Sniitlifield, R. I., Jan. 20, 1785. He 
married Harriet, daughter of Samuel Smith, Jan. 18, 1810, and 
moved to Mendon, Mass., wliere he resided till 1830, -when he 
made Boscawen his home, purchasing a farm on High street, near 
Salisl)ury line. He was a member of the Society of Friends. 
Through life, Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich manifested the frank, honest, 
sincere traits of character which are inculcated by the Friends. 
They were progressive in their religious views, earnest in 
their efforts to do good, ever ready to help the poor, guided by a 
simple faith and trust which ever led them to a higher spiritual 
life. They were industrious and frugal, simple in all their tastes, 
and patterns of neatness. They lived quietly and unostentatiously, 
beloved and respected by their friends and neighbors. Mr. 
Aldrich passed to the better life, March 19, 1865, and Mrs. Al- 
drich, May 13, 1872. Their children were, — Armenia Smith, born 
Nov. 1, 1817, married Nathaniel White, of Concord, Nov. 1, 1836; 
John, born Nov. 9, 1825, married Olive French, of Pemliroke, 
and who resides in Framingham, Mass. 

AEEY, ISAIAH H. 

Isaiah Hatch Arey was born on Cape Cod, 1827. His father 
moved to Boscawen when he was a lad, and settled on the farm 
south of the Woodbury plain. The son, after his father's death, 
built the residence now standing south of the cemeterj^ He 
married Miss Terry, of Boscawen, was elected town-clerk from 
1861 to 1864, and was holding that official position at the time of 
his death, Oct. 16, 1870. 

Mr. Arey possessed a sj-mpathetic nature, and was endowed 
with fine feelings, which he well knew how to express by word 
and act. He was also an ingenious and skilful mechanic, and for 
the last fifteen 3'ears of' his life devoted much time to the man- 
ufacture of violins and guitars. Of the former he is known to 





t^t n . 




y^o^v 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 315 

have made eighty-six, and of the latter thirty-seven. These instru- 
ments are now highly prized. For purity of tone and elegant 
workmanship, perhaps they are not excelled by any made in this 
country. 

Ole Bull, the eminent Norwegian violinist, recognized Mr. 
Arey's talents, and assisted him with original drawings and valu- 
able information. Erom a letter written by Ole Bull to Mr. Arey 
in 1857, the following extract is given : 

" Allow me to congratulate you on the achievement of your violin, 
* * an instrument that no artist or amateur Avould hesitate to take 
to his bosom, and electrify by the breath of his inspiration. I sincerely 
•wish tliat those further results of my experience, which I have commu- 
nicated to you, will prove a benefit to yourself, and a blessing to those 
who take your children to their hearts. 

" Your success will always be sincerely felt and appreciated by your 
friend, 

Ole Bull." 
atkixsox, samuel, 

Was the son of Dea. Joseph Atkinson, of ISTewbury. He took 
an active part in town affairs, and during the Revolution was 
lieutenant in Stark's regiment, at the battle of Bunker hill, and 
was employed by the committee of safety for the state on several 
important occasions. 

Upon the records of the committee of safety, Jan. SO, 1776, is 
this entry : 

" Ordered the Reciever General to pay Samuel Atkinson for bis 
time & Expenses in going after Col Bedell £1 — lis." 
CoL Bedel was in command of a regiment doing duty on the 
Connecticut river. 

"April 9, 1776. 

" Ordered the lleciever General to pay Lieut Samuel Atkinson Four- 
teen pounds Thirteen Shill" & Eleven pence for expense of Transport- 
ing the Indians sent from Exeter from Boscawen to Plymouth." 
No contemporary record throws any light upon this service. For 
what purpose the Indians were sent to Plymouth is unknown. 

During the summer of 1776, upon the advance of Gen. Carleton 
and Gen. Burgoyne to Lake Champlain, there was great conster- 
nation in all the upper towns of New Hampshire and Vermont, on 
the Connecticut. It was rumored that a large body of Indians was 



316 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

to invade that section. Lieut. Atkinson started as a A-olunteer 
for the defence of the frontier. The condition of affairs is set 
forth in a letter from Col. John Hurd, found in Provincial Papers 
(Vol. 8, p. 306). 

He visited Exeter, to report in person the state of affairs, and 
received an order to forward two small cannon, which belonged to 
the state, and which were in Canterbury, to Haverhill. 

He was captain of a company enlisted to join Gen. Sullivan at 
Ticonderoga. 

In IMay, 1777, Capt. Atkinson was employed by the town to 
obtain fire-arms and equipments ; and the committee of safety for 
the state conferred authority upon him to raise men to serve 
under Gen. Stark, after the battle of Bennington. 

In 1779-80, he was employed by the committee of safety to 
procure supplies, and rendered efficient aid to the government 
during the w^ar. 

He was honored and trusted by his fellow-citizens, and was an 
ardent patriot. 

ATKINSON, HALE, 

Whose likeness is here presented, was born March 3, 1799, 
on the homestead which he inherited from his father, situated 
on the river road, where his grandfather settled when he moved 
from Newbury, Mass., in 1767. He was an obliging aiid kind 
neighbor, a lover of books, sustaining schools and the institu- 
tions of religion with cheerfulness, and always fulfilling the du- 
ties of a good citizen. In early life he had a fondness for military 
parade, and at one time was captain of the cavalry company in 
the 21st Regiment. His political views did not accord with those 
of the majority in town, but he was often chosen to office, the 
duties of which he performed faithfully and impartially. He was 
selectman in 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1853, and 1857. He was 
unmarried ; — died April 15, 1874. 

ATKINSON, HARVEY, 

Son of Joseph Atkinson, was born in Boscawen, July 19, 1806 
[see Gen.]. He attended the district school, receiving instruction 
from Mrs. Sally Kimball Martin, one of the renowned female 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 317 

teacliers of the town, Susan Pearson, Abigail Dix (sister of Gen. 
Dix), Martha Holt, Francis Danforth, Joseph Morrill, Samuel 
Chamberlain, Erastus Torrey, and Peabody Atkinson. He was a 
student at the opening of the male department of Boscawen Acad- 
emy, under the tuition of Jarvis Gregg, and also a student at 
Franklin Academy. He became an instructor, teaching in his 
own district— the Gulf— in 1828-29, also in 1829-30 and in 
1830-31 at Horse hill in Concord. 

In November, 1831, he moved to Ohio, where he taught four 
years, returning to Boscawen in 1835. During the following 
winters he taught on Little hill, at High street, and at the Gulf. 

Mr. Atkinson's father had the power of great concentration of 
thought in mathematical calculation, and possessed a retentive 
memory. He once calculated mentally the number of barleycorns 
required to encircle the globe, allowing three to an inch, and put 
the answer down upon his slate. To verify his calculation he 
went through the problem by w^riting the figures, and arrived at 
the same result. 

Mr. Harvey Atkinson, since 1837, has resided on his farm, giv- 
ing his attention to agriculture. 

BAKER, HENRY W., LT. 

At the breaking out of the war in 1861, Henry W. Baker was 
at work making household furniture, in the "Hollow," in Bos- 
cawen. He was a young man of ardent temperament, a lover of 
liberty, a true citizen, and an earnest patriot. He offered his 
services to his country, and was commissioned Second Lieuten- 
ant, Co. E, 7th Kegiment, Nov. 12, 1861. 

The rendezvous of the regiment was at Manchester. On Jan. 
14, 1862, it broke camp, and was ordered to New York, where it 
remained till Eeb. 13, when it embarked on sailing vessels for the 
Dry Tortugas, where it remained till June 16th, when it was or- 
dered to Port Royal, and from thence to St. Augustine, subse- 
quently to Eernandina, and again to Hilton Head. 

On June 18, 1863, it joined the forces under Gen. Gilmore, and 
was employed during the month in arduous duties. On the morn- 
ing of July 18, the troops designed to make an assault upon Fort 
Wagner were drawn up on the beach. During the night the 7th 
Eegiment had been under arms doing fatigue duty. A terrific 



318 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

tliuncler-storm had raged, and tlie soldiers were drenclied with 
rain. The regiment had heen so reduced by sickness, that but 
four hundred and eighty were in the ranks. 

Through the entire day a terrible cannonade was kept up by 
the Union batteries and ironclads, which was responded to from 
time to time by the guns of Fort Wagner. All through the weary 
hours, the soldiers of the 7th lay behind their entrenchments be- 
neath the blazing sun. 

The command had been entrusted to Gen. Trueman H. Seymour, 
who determined to make an assault. He knew nothing of the 
construction of Fort Wagner. No information of the impedi- 
ments to be overcome had reached him. Col. Putnam, of the 7th, 
commanding the second brigade, opposed the contemplated move- 
ment. 

" I do not think that we can take the fort," he said ; — and when 
Gen. Sej-mour reiterated his determination to make the attempt. 
Col. Putnam said, *' We shall go like a flock of sheep." 

The sun set, and the twilight faded. The soldiers were ordered 
to remove the caps from the nipples of their rifles, and were told 
that they must depend upon the bayonet alone. In the 100th N. 
y., which formed behind the 7th, this order was neglected. 

In the darkness, the assaulting column moved forward. The 
ironclads and the Union batteries opened a heavy tire, wdiich 
was continued till the column was so near that further firing 
would endanger it, when, at a signal, all the Union batteries 
became silent. In an instant. Port Wagner was aflame. Its 
heavy siege guns, howitzers, and forty-two pounder carronades 
burst forth, pouring a stream of shot and shell into the advancing 
troojis. And now, in addition, the parapet of the fort swarmed 
with men, who, through the terrible cannonade of the day, had 
been lying securely beneath the bomb-proofs. Mingled with the 
roar of the cannon were their volleys of musketry. 

The first brigade had the advance. Its ranks went down like 
grass before the mower. Some of the soldiers fled, panic-stricken. 
The second brigade, led by the 7th N. H., pressed on and filled 
the decimated ranks. Suddenly they found themselves confront- 
ed by a ditch fifty feet wide and ten feet deep, with four feet of 
water flowing into it. Only at the south-eastern angle was it 
dry. It was enfiladed by howitzers. Into the ditch leaped the 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 319 

soldiers. Grape and canister mowed tliem down, but others 
crowded on. The 7th N. H., led by Lt. Col. Joseph C. Abbott, 
made its waj^ iinfalteringly into the ditch, througli it, and np the 
slope of the parapet. Cannon and musketry blazed in their faces ; 
and now there was a flash behind them — the 100th N. Y., not 
having removed their caps, Avere firing into the dark mass, not 
knowing who was friend, who foe. All was confusion. All or- 
der disappeared. In the darkness no one could be recognized. 
Amid the groans of the wounded, the shouting of officers, the rat- 
tle of rifles, the roar of cannon, the bursting of shells, it was im- 
possible to maintain discipline. Col. Putnam, a few of his sub- 
ordinates, and one or two hundred men entered tlie fort. The 
enemy cliarged, but were driven. Col. Putnam was killed ; — one 
officer after another went down. Tlie reserve, which should liave 
rushed up, did not come. The assault had lost its force. Like 
sheep the Union soldiers fled as best they could through the dev- 
astating fire, leaving a ghastl}^ heap of dead and wounded in the 
ditch, and on the parapet of the fort. Among the killed Avas Hen- 
ry W. Baker. By his side were Dexter Pritchard, Liberty G. 
Raymond, and Alexander F. Stevens, from Boscawen, and of his 
company, also killed. Among the wounded was Samuel McEvely, 
and among the prisoners Avas John Clancy, who died in prison at 
E/ichmond. 

In his first battle. Lieutenant Baker gaA^e his life to his country. 
Those who serA'ed under him speak of him with affection. He 
was cool and brave, and eA'er mindful of his duties. He Avas 
buried Avhere he fell, Avith his commander, Col. Putnam, and his 
subordinates, Pritcliard, Raymond, and SteA'ens. He Avas the 
last of his family, his elder brother, J. C. Baker, m. v., of Abing- 
ton, Mass., deceased, being his only near relative. Those Avho 
loiew him best will CA^er hold him in affectionate remembrance. 

BALLARD, WILLIAM WALLACE, 

Was born in Peterborough in 1828. His father was I^athan Bal- 
lard, of Peterborough, Avho married Sarah D. Clement, of Bos- 
cawen. He was left an orphan at an early age, but Avas adopted 
by Benjamin Walker, Mrs. W. being his aunt. He learned the 
trade of stone-cutting, but spent most of his time with Mr. Walker, 



320 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

attending the district scliool — Water street, south. He was of a 
quiet, gentle nature, and in boyhood showed none of those stei'ling 
qualities of character which revealed themselves in after life. 

It is altogether probable that the flame of patriotic ardor, whicli 
at the breaking out of the war in 1861 induced him to be one of 
the first to enlist, was kindled by Mr. Eliakim Walker, Revolu- 
tionary pensioner, who never was weary of rehearsing the story of 
Bunker hill ; and, without doubt, the flame was intensified by the 
uncompromising hostility of Mr. Benjamin Walker to slavery. 

When the second regiment of N. H. volunteers was organized, 
young Ballard enlisted in the Goodwin Rifles, of the 2d Regiment. 
The regiment, on its way to the seat of war, was entertained at 
Boston, in Music hall, where Mr. Harrison D. Clement, of Law- 
rence, uncle to Ballard, had a conversation with him. 

" I did not suppose that you had any great military ardor," was 
the remark of Mr. C. 

" I have not, but the call is urgent. I have no family ; I can 
go. Military life has no attractions for me ; but I owe a duty 
to my countr}^, and I shall do my best to perform it." 

It is out of such men that heroes are made. 

His regiment was in the first battle of Bull Run, where Bal- 
lard acted with conspicuous coolness and deliberation. After the 
engagement, he informed his uncle that he had several fair shots at 
the enemy, at half the distance of which he was sure of his mark. 

A few weeks subsequent to the battle he was sent to Washing- 
ton to perform some duty, and, upon his rejoining the regiment, 
found a second lieutenant's commission awaiting him, the j)romo- 
tion having been made wholly without his knowledge. A sword 
and uniform were presented him by his brother officers. 

He commanded the company at the battle of Williamsburg, and 
throughout nearly the entire Peninsula campaign, in which the 
2d Regiment took an active part [see Adgt. Gen. Report]. 

During the seven days' fighting, his clothes were pierced several 
times, and he was slightly wounded on the forehead, which filled 
his eyes and covered his face with blood ; but he maintained his 
place, leading the men into action while thus disfigured. 

During one of the battles, while in the thick of the fight, he 
dragged a wounded soldier behind a tree, and himself took shelter. 
While they were there the tree was struck seventeen times. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 321 

Tlie regiment, at Gettysburg, was attached to the 3d. corps, com- 
manded by Gen. Sickles. During the march from the Rappahan- 
nock, Lieut. Ballard was taken sick, and though entitled to ride in 
the ambulance, resolutelj^ maintained his place ^yith the company. 
Although he had the surgeon's certificate in his pocket, excusing 
him from duty, he not only made the march, but Avas seen carrying 
the guns of his worn-out soldiers, and even the tent-pole, on his 
shoulder. On the morning of July 2d, the surgeon and officers, 
knowing how exhausted he was, tried to dissuade him from taking 
part in the engagement, but in vain. 

The regiment was stationed in Sherfey's peach orchard, and 
was one of the first to feel the blows inflicted by Longstreet's ad- 
vance. 

In the first shock, nine of the officers were killed or wounded. 
The captain of Company B being one of the number, the com- 
mand devolved upon Lieut. Ballard. Not long after, he was mor- 
tally wounded b}' a ball passing through his hips and bowels, 
but did not fall till, unable to move, he was knocked down by a 
battery wheeling into position. So close was the fighting at this 
moment, that when his sword flew from his hand it fell close 
to the rebel line, — so near, that one of the soldiers of the 
regiment, in attempting to recover it, was taken prisoner. 
Lieut. Ballard was taken to the rear, and lingered five days, re- 
ceiving all the care that was possible to give in the over-crowded 
hospitals. He knew that his wound was mortal, and calmly 
awaited the coming of death, sending this message to his friends : 

" Sliould I leave any property after paying my debts, I desire that it 
may be given to the soldiers who have suffered for their country."' 

His remains were taken to Boscawen, and interred in the 
cemetery, near the site of the old meeting-house. His funeral 
sermon was preached by his old chaplain, Prof. Parker — now of 
Dartmouth college — in the Congregational church on the plain, 
which was filled by a great concourse of people, who had known 
his sterling qualities, and wliich were thus set forth : 

" In the prime condition and obligation of life, which conies up to us 
most forcibly in life's adieu, and beside the grave, — your life, dear friend 
did you regard and employ it as yours for God? How happy to be 
able here to-day to make mention of the fact, that, at the early ao-e of 

21 



o22 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

fourteen, he made public profession of tlie Cliristian faith, and conse- 
crated himself forever to the cross and service of the Redeemer. 

" Of the consistency of all the years of his Christian life, I do not 
know how faithfully he fulfilled the obligations of his Christian profes- 
sion — I cannot fully testify; — but this I do know: his soldier's career 
was singularly free from the vices of army life. I never knew any de- 
parture in his conduct from the strict line of principle and virtue. His 
character seemed as upright as his tall frame. 

"He was one with whom, in the army, I had ever pleasant inter- 
course aud strong congeniality of feeling. I can see him even now, accom- 
panying his men, as was so invariably his custom, to our regimental 
Sabbath services; or, as he often sat within my tent, conversing upon 
themes which showed alike his excellent sense and excellent principles. 

" It was no ordinary testimony to the esteem in which he was held by 
the noble company of which he was a member, when from a private, 
without ever having worn a corporal's stripes upon his arm, he was 
passed over all the intermediate grades at a step, and made a lieuten- 
ant by common consent. 

" The respect he had among you here at home, for his character and 
worth, he never lost in the army; and had he been permitted to return 
to live once more among you, it would have been to have enjoyed your 
increased regard, I doubt not, as a man and a Christian. 

" And now Lieut. Ballard, at the early age of thirLy-four, sleeps in 
death! IS^o more campaignings, no more hard-fought fields: the march 
and battle of life are over! 

" That noble spirit of his, whicli animated him to the performance of 
duty at whatever cost or hazard, Avhich forbade his shrinking from any 
peril, finally urged him forward with his men to the battle, although 
debility and disease warranted inaction, and demanded rest; and his 
sick and weakened frame was unable to sustain the shock and effect of 
the wound then received. 

" I might have expected all this, so often have I heard him say that, 
if he could move, nothing should ever keep him from accompanying the 
regiment when a battle was to occur. 

"Brave soldier, noble officer, excellent young ni an, dearly beloved 
friend, we leave thee. Thy life was thy country's: she has it; — and 
now thy name is thy country's: she will keep it! 

" Was it a lasting honor to have fought with our Revolutionary 
fathers to found this government? Then is it enduring fame like 
thee to have fought and died to sustain it! 

" Has no land ever more merited a patriot's love than thine ? Then, 
than thine, no patriot's devotion ever more merited gratitude; no pa- 
triot's death more merited honor. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 323 

" And so we leave thee, heroic soldier, true-hearted patriot. Chris- 
tian young man, esteemed, beloved friend. With many tears, and yet 
■with hearts beating to a deeper love of country, and a higher estimate 
of the true citizen, of manly worth, of virtue, of right, of freedom, and 
of religion, we consign these battle-torn remains to the grave, and thy 
soul to God, thankfully trusting that the victory of the Christian life 
and conflict is thine, — martial strains exclianged for the music and mel- 
odies of angels, the sword for the harp of gold, the soldier's laced and 
plumicd attire for the robes of heaven and the crown of life and immor- 
tality!" 

BUXTON, EDWARD, REV. 

The second pastor of the Congregational church in Webster, 
Kev. Edward Buxton, was born in Reading, Mass., Aug. 17, 1803, 
— the youngest son of Benjamin and Hannah (Flint) Buxton, 
who subsequently removed to New Boston. j\Ir. Buxton desired 
that one of his sons should enter the ministry; but in child- 
hood the son was subjected to a fright which produced an im- 
pediment of sj)eech, and the father gave up all expectation of ever 
seeing him engaged in the ministry. But the son adopted a 
rigid course of discipline, by which he overcame, in a good de- 
gree, his stammering, — so much so, that in 1829 he began the 
study of medicine. He gave himself so thoroughly to study, how- 
ever, that sickness intervened, and he was compelled to relinquish 
for a time his chosen pursuit. 

Eecovering his health in some degree, he engaged in teaching 
in New Boston, and, to perfect himself as a teacher, attended 
Exeter academy, then under Benjamin Abbot, the preceptor who 
could count Edward Everett, Alexander H. Everett, and many 
other distinguished men of the century, as his pupils. 

Upon leaving the academy, Mr. Buxton became preceptor of the 
academy in Greenland, N. H., where he found congenial society 
in the person of Rev. Wallace Clark, pastor of the Congregational 
church. The 3'oung preceptor became superintendent of the Sun- 
day-school, and whenever the pastor was absent was selected to 
conduct the public exercises upon the Sabbath. 

So acceptable were his services, that neighboring parishes, with- 
out a minister, called upon the preceptor at Greenland to occupy 
their pulpits. Thus gradually, and almost without any plan for 
his future life, Edward Buxton became a preacher, teaching by 



324 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

day in the academy, studying theology by night in the house of 
his friend, Kev. Mr. Clark. His studies, rather, were in the 
early morning, for during those years he formed the habit of light- 
ing his fire and lamp before the first glimmerings of dawn were 
seen in the east — a habit that has adhered through life, and ena- 
bled him to accomplish much which otherwise never woi;ld have 
been done. 

He was ordained at Greenland in 1836, and was employed in 
preaching at Rochester for a few months, then at Dorchester and 
Whitefield, until called to Webster, in August, 1837. 

He was installed pastor of the church December 13 the same 
year, succeeding Rev. Mr. Price, who had resigned the pastorate 
in the spring of 1836. From that date to the present, with the 
exception of a few months in 1876, he has preached to the people 
of Webster, preaching his 4()th anniversary sermon in December, 
1877. He is the oldest pastor in the state. His term of office em- 
braces an important period in the history of the country. Since 
his settlement, the nation has passed through a great civil war. 
Previous to the breaking out of the conflict was the period of ex- 
citement incident to the agitation of the anti-slavery question. 

The church in Webster, in common with most of the churches, 
was conservative. — slow to act, and regarding with distrust the 
methods of many of the earnest anti-slavery reformers. Dur- 
ing the years of excitement, the pastor of the church manifested 
that equipoise of judgment and calmness of disposition which 
carried him safely through a period in which many pastorates 
were dissolved. 

Mr. Buxton, like his predecessor, has performed arduous duties 
as superintending committee of schools, and has taken great inter- 
est in the cause of education, giving individual instruction to 
many young ladies aiad gentlemen. 

He has been thrice married, — first, to Elizabeth McParland, 
daughter of Rev. Asa McParland, d. d., of Concord ; second, to 
Mrs. Lois Jewett, of Laconia ; third, to Mrs. Louise Jane Dix 
Pillsbury, widow of Gen. Moody A. Pillsbury, and daughter of Col. 
Timothy Dix, of Boscawen. 

In 1876, Mr. Buxton was elected delegate to the convention for 
the revision of the state constitution. 

By his fidelity as a pastor, his high character, liis consistent 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 325 

life, his devotion to dutj-, and liis regard for the welfare of the 
whole community, he has won the respect and affection of the 
public in a remarkable degree. It falls to the lot of but few men 
to be so universally esteemed. 

Though past the age allotted to man, he still ministers to the 
jieople, and maintains the studious habits of his early j^ears. 

He is an ardent lover of music, and is in full sympathy with 
the progressive spirit of the age, endearing himself alike to old 
and j^oung, with the sports and pleasures of childhood, as well as 
with the graver duties of maturer years. 

BURBANK, ABRAHAM, CAPT. 

One of the prominent business men of Boscawen was Abraham 
Burbank, eldest son of David Burbank, and grandson of Capt. 
Moses Burbank, one of the earl}- settlers of the town. He was 
born Nov. 16, 1781, learned the trade of blacksmith of his father, 
and carried on blacksmithing on Little hill with Jesse Little. 
He was an adept in making axes, giving them a shape much liked 
by the woodchoppers at the beginning of the centur}", and of such 
keen temper that '^ Abe Burbank's axes '' were Avidely known, 
and had a ready sale. 

He married Mary Call, and, second, Polly M. Jackman, settled 
in Bashan on the farm now owned by his son, Mr. Azro Sheridan 
Burbank, and engaged in lumbering. 

With his son. Friend L. Burbank, he became proprietor of the 
mills on Blackwater river; also, a mill on Knight's Meadow 
brook ; also, one on Pond brook. At one time, nearly every mill 
in Boscawen was employed in sawing his lumber, which was sent 
down the Merrimack river to Lowell and Boston. 

He was greatly respected by his fellow-citizens, and was re- 
peatedly elected to represent them in the legislature. He was a 
cheerful supporter of religious and charitable organizations, and 
alive to all interests affecting the public welfare. 

He died in 1856, aged 75 — an active, energetic, honored citizen 
to the last year of his life. 

BURBAXK, LITTLE, 

Son of David, was born in Boscawen [see Genealogy]. He settled 
in Bashan, on land now owned by William Huntoon, at the 



326 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

corner of the road leading west to the cemetery, hut suhsequently 
purchased the farm now owned hy F. F. & Wm. Fisk. He early 
engaged in lumhering, sending masts, spars, and oak timber to 
Medford, and other kinds to Lowell. He was a man of great 
industry, working early and late, and employing many men. He 
was a public-spirited citizen, a steadfast supporter of civil and re- 
ligious institutions, a consistent member of the Congregational 
church, and a respected member of society. 

BURBAXK, CALVIN M., 

Youngest son of Little Burbank [see Genealogy], at the begin- 
ning of the war enlisted in the Goodwin Rifles, Company B, 2d 
E-egiment, commanded by Col. Gilman Marston, of Exeter, and 
attached to the brigade commanded by Gen. Burnside. The regi- 
ment was conspicuously engaged in the first battle of Bull Run, 
in which Mr. Burbank displayed that undaunted bravery which 
animated him in all subsequent engagements. Upon the retreat, 
he carried a comrade — Holmes — on his back for a long distance, 
and after leaving him in the hospital, picked up the rifles thrown 
away by others, having at one time five on his shoulders. 

During the fall of 1861 the regiment was stationed at Chika- 
moxen. In the Peninsular campaign it took part in the battle of 
Williamsburg. In a letter to his brother he gives an account of 
the engagement : 

" We started at sunrise, and pushed r.apidly forward, our corps tak- 
ing the central route, — Keyes on our right and Sumner on our left. 
Our division took the lead, and at six o'clock we were in sight of the 
rebel entrenchments before AVilliamsburg. The action soon com- 
menced, and as the day progressed grew hotter, till by noon it was ab- 
solutely terrific. Our division, the rest of the corjis failing to come up, 
had to withstand the whole force of the enemy's centre; and right val- 
iantly did they do it, as the record of tlie day's fight will show. Four 
times were they driven back, and as many times did they rally, and re- 
cover the ground they had lost. Thus the battle raged till four o'clock, 
when reinforcements so long looked for at last arrived, and decided the 
battle in our favor, when the enemy, being driven hard into their en- 
trenchments, and darkness settling over the earth, ended hostilities for 
the day. 

" To add to our hard fighting, it rained in torrents all day, and the 
men were completely drenched. Many of the men when they went 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 327 

into the fight threw away their knapsacks, and without any shelter you 
may judge that our situation was not to be envied. Still, the men 
were resolute in their determination to commence the fight the next 

morning. 

* * * * * * * * 

" Yesterday afternoon I took a stroll over the battle-field, and the 
sight that met my eyes was sickening in the extreme. Friend and foe 
lay side by side in scores. Evidences of the fierceness of the fight were 
everywhere visible, and it was easy to trace the progress and success of 
the fight by the too visible marks of the strife. Language fails me to 
describe the appearance of a battle-field after the contest is over. It 
must be seen to be realized to its full extent." 

For gallantry at "Williamsburg, lie was made a corporal. 

Endowed with a strong constitution, lie passed tlirough all tlie 
hardships of the Peninsular campaign, doing his duties whenever 
called upon, notwithstanding the malaria of the Chickahominy. 
He was in the tliick of the fight at the second Bull Eun battle, in 
which the regiment suffered severely. Defeat had followed de- 
feat. The soldiers had lost confidence in the management of the 
ami}'. But there was no faltering of patriotism. 

In a letter written Oct. 30th, 1862, is this outburst of loyalty : 

" I, for one, nm getting heartily sick of this war, and the way it is 
conduated. The fact is, there has been blood enough spilled and lives 
enough sacrificed to have put down the Rebellion ere this if rightly 
managed; yet I do not wish to see it settled in any other way, and 
willingly devote the term of my enlistment to attain the end for which 
the war was commenced. And yet, there are recreants North who 
would advocate a compromise, or peace on any terms, — who would even 
consent to sever this glittering chain of strength and glory. There are 
traitor knaves who would lift their sacrilegious hands to break that 
whicli God hath united, which man must not sever. Is there a man 
now who dares to advocate a disunion of these blood-brightened links? 
Palsied be his tongue to the very roof of his mouth, ere he can croak 
out one word of disunion ! 

" Pardon tliis flight of words; but I feel that all the hindrances are 
owing to this class of persons." 

He was in the battle of Fredericksburg, in Franklin's corps, 
where the regiment suffered severely. In the battle of Gettys- 
burg, the 2d K. H. was, at the heginning of the action on the 
second day, stationed in Sherfey's peach orchard, behind a rail 
fence. Upon the advance of Longstreet's corps, it w^as almost 



328 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 

the first regiment to open fire. Mr. Burbank fired twice at the 
advancing skirmishers. After the second sliot, he jumped upon 
the fence to see its effect, Avhen a hall went through one of his 
thighs, shattering the bone, and he fell to the ground. The en- 
em}' was close at hand — 30,000 men advancing rapidl}'. The 
whole of Sickle's line, in which was the 2d N. H., was forced 
hack, and Burbank was left upon the field. During the whole of 
the contest, he was exjjosed to the fire of both armies. His 
clothes were pierced with bullets. A wounded comrade, Ij'ing 
near him, had his head taken off bj^ a cannon ball. During 
the night of Thursday he was in the enemy's hands ; but they 
had so many of their own wounded to care for that they could 
pay no attention to the Union wounded. 

Through the contest of Friday he lay there upon the ground, 
exposed to the terrible storm of shot and shell. On Saturday 
afternoon he was exposed to a thunder-shower. The rain })oured 
in torrents. He soon found himself in a pool. The water ran 
till it covered his body, and he could only keep from drowning by 
propping up his head with his knapsack. The water assuaged 
the terrible fever that had set in from his wound, and quite likely 
saved his life, as mortification ere long must have set in. Upon 
the retreat of the enem}-, Saturday night, he was taken up by the 
ambulance corps, having lain where he fell from Thursday after- 
noon, with nothing to eat but the few crackers in his knapsack. 

He was taken to the hospital at Brattleborough, Vt., where he 
remained till his wound was healed. He was impatient to join 
his regiment. He applied to be sent back, but the surgeon 
would not give him permission, thinking he was not well enough. 

One day he was found missing, and "deserter" was written 
against his name. The return was sent to the colonel of the regi- 
ment ; but before it reached there, Burbank was doing his duty in 
the ranks as picket, having voluntarily retiirned. His colonel or- 
dered him into his presence, and condemned him to have an addi- 
tional stripe sewed upon his right arm, advancing him to tlie rank 
of sergeant. Nothing but an impediment of speech debarred him 
from receiving a commission. He was in all of the battles of the 
Wilderness campaign in which the 2d N. H. took part. 

On the ICth of May, 1864, the regiment was engaged with the 
enemy in front of Richmond, when Burbank, who was in adA'ance 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 329 

of the skinnisli line, found himself confronted by a rolxd. They 
were but a few rods apart. Both raised their guns and fired at 
the same instant. The rebel fell dead, with a bullet through his 
brain, while the ball from the rebel's gun passed through Bur- 
bank's cheek, making a fearful wound, and disfiguring that side 
of liis face. He was taken to the hospital, and mustered out of 
service, June 21, 1864, having taken part in more than thirty 
engagements. 

Without any disparagement to the valor or bravery of others, 
it may be said that he was one of the bravest of the brave. He 
served his country from motives of pure patriotism, and has left 
an imperishable record. 

His death, which occurred in Ma_y, 1866, was very sad. It was 
from small-pox, in the hospital at Manchester. Strangers only 
could care for him in his last hours on earth. 

He married IMiss Louisa Nichols, who died before the war, 
leaving one child, a daughter, now living. 

BURBAXK, FRIEND L. 

Friend Little Burbank, eldest son of Capt. Abraham and 
Mary (Call) Burbank, was born in Boscawen, Jan. 29, 1806. He 
married Dorothy Jackman, daughter of Joshua Jackman, of Bos- 
cawen. He engaged with his father in the occupation of lumber- 
ing. Through life he has followed that calling, manufacturing 
many millions of feet in the mills that now bear his name. 

His fellow-citizens have honored him by electing him repeat- 
edly to manage the affairs of the town, and to represent them in 
the legislature [see Town Affairs']. 

BURBAXK, DAVID E. 

David Emery Burbank, son of Capt. Abraham and Polly 
(Jackman) Burbank, was born in Boscawen, May 16, 1822. He 
married Mary Elliot, of Canterbury, in 1845, and followed the oc- 
cupation of merchant at Sweatt's mills for several j^ears. He 
was a prominent member of Boscawen Light Infantry, and was 
captain of the corps when the military system of the state was 
disbanded, in 1849-60. 

Upon the organization of Webster he was elected town-clerk, 



330 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

and was serving in tliat capacity when lie entered the military ser- 
vice in 18G3. 

Upon the organization of the 16th N. H. regiment, he was 
commissioned first lieutenant, Company H, a position Avhich he 
filled with honor to himself and his fellow-citizens. His commis- 
sion was issued Nov. 4, 18G2. The regiment was ordered to the 
Department of the Gulf under Gen. Banks, and, though not en- 
gaged in any great conflict, performed arduous duties on the 
Mississippi, at Port Hudson and other localities. Lieut. Bur- 
banlv, in common with many of the regiment, was prostrated by 
sickness. The -post physicians could hold out no hope for his 
recovery in that climate, and advised his return to the North as 
his only chance for recovery. The regiment had nearly filled its 
term of enlistment, and he accordingly resigned his commission, 
July 18, 1863. 

He reached home, prostrated by disease. The fatigues, hard- 
ships, and malaria had so undermined a hardy constitution, 
that many months passed before he regained his health. He was 
appointed postmaster at West Boscawen before the war, and 
while absent Mrs. Burbank performed the duties of the office, and 
conducted the business of the store. 

He subsequently moved to Norwich, Vt., where he still lives, 
engaged in milling. 

BURBANK, EZEKIEL W. 

Ezekiel Webster Burbank, son of Capt. Abraham and Polly 
(Jackman) Burbank, was born in Boscawen, June 16, 1829. He 
married Martha Ann Pillsbur}^, daughter of Enoch Pillsbury, and 
resided with his brother on the homestead in Bashan. 

Upon the organization of the 16th N. H. regiment he enlisted 
in Company H, of which his brother, David E., was second lieu- 
tenant. He served with honor, was faithful in all his military 
duties, as in everything else. He soon fell a victim to the mala- 
ria of the Mississippi, and died at Brashea Cit}', May 27, 1863. 
His was a character that won respect and confidence. He was a 
true citizen and an earnest Christian. 

CALL, OLOFF HANSON, REV., 

A native of Warner, became a resident of Boscawen in 1840. H!^e 
went through the academical course at Tilton Conference Semi- 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ool 

nary, and tlie theological course at tlie Concord seminary, and 
became a member of the New Hampshire Conference in 1854. 
Under appointment from that body, he preached at Haverhill, Bath, 
Benton, Warren, Marlow, Seabrook, Salem, Londonderr}', New- 
marlvet, and at Amesbury, Mass. He moved to Kansas in 1875, 
where he is still engaged in the ministry. 

CALL, ^rATHAX, M. D., 

Son of Silas Call, was born in Boscawen Sept. 25, 1827. He attend- 
ed the common school on North Water street, but, aside from a terra 
or two at an academ}-, had no other literary course. He began the 
study of medicine with Dr. E. K. Webster on the Plain, Feb. 20, 
1851, attended two courses of lectures at Hanover and one at 
Brunswick, graduating at Hanover in 1854. He attended one 
course of lectures at the New York Medical College, studied dis- 
section with Dr. E. H. Parker, then of Concord, and began prac- 
tice with Dr. Webster in March, 1855, when he was appointed 
assistant physician at the N. H. Asylum for the Insane, at Con- 
cord, under the superintendence of Dr. J. E. Tyler. His duties 
were acceptably discharged while in that official position. In 
1859 he returned to Boscawen and resumed practice, where 
he remained till 18G4, when he removed to Suncook. He was 
married in 1855 to Miss Charlotte M. Colby, of Contoocook, was 
elected secretary of the N. H. Medical Society in 1862, retaining 
the position till 1866. He died at Suncook, June, 1875, after a 
brief illness, greatly lamented. In early life he connected himself 
with the Christian Baptist church, and lived a life consistent 
with his profession. As a citizen he was highly esteemed, and as 
a physician occupied a high rank. 

CALL, WILLIAM W. 

William Walker Call, son of Lemuel Call, was born Jan. 13, 
1822. He worked on his father's farm till arriving at majority, 
having no educational advantages except those of the district 
school. In the fall of 1848, while residing at Lawrence, Mass., 
he read in the Boston Journal the first report of the discovery of 
gold in California. During the winter, as the reports of the richness 
of the deposits were confirmed, he determined to seek his fortune 
in that land. In company with his brother Jonas and Mr. Bit- 



332 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

field Burbank, he started from Boscawen May 11. Beaching 
New York he found tliere %Yas little prospect of going to Cali- 
fornia by the Isthmus of Banama. He could not think of the long 
ocean voyage around Cape Horn, and determined to push west 
across the plains. At three o'clock on the day after his arrival in 
New York he was on the train, with his companions, for Bitts- 
burgh. Beaching that city, he took passage on the steamer "Ben 
West," which left the next day for St. Louis. The " Ben West " 
was a new boat, making her first trip. At Cincinnati a fast 
steamer, also bound for St. Louis, came alongside, and attempted 
to pass the '■' Ben West." The result was a race the entire dis- 
tance, the captains, reckless of consequences, feeding the furnaces 
till the flames spouted from the tops of the chimneys. The new 
boat won the race by several hours. Mr. Call was quite will- 
ing to make so quick a passage, as it bore him so much the faster 
on his journey. 

At St. Louis, he and his companions purchased a few articles of 
their outfit, and embarked by steamer up the Missouri. The boat 
was crowded with Mormons. The cholera broke out, and the l)oat 
stopped several times to burj^ the dead. Thirty-one passengers 
died in two and one half days between St. Louis and Independ- 
ence. The party from Boscawen had the wisdom to remain on 
the hurricane deck most of the time, and thus escaped the con- 
tagion. 

At Independence they purchased a wagon and four mules, 
and loaded the wagon with provisions. In New England they 
had been accustomed to using oxen and horses, and knew nothing 
of the nature of mules ; l;)ut ere long they discovered that a mule 
has a nature of his own — a peculiar nature, a propensity to kick 
wagons into kindling-wood, to stoji when he is so inclined, to 
set firmlj^ back in the harness at times. The mules were unbrok- 
en. To control them, ropes were tied around the necks of the 
leaders, and two of the party walked by their side. They 
started Ma}^ 22. At the descent of the first hill, the mules, in- 
stead of holding back, broke into a run. In vain the efforts of the 
men holding the ropes to stop them. Down the hill the}- went, 
making good time towards California, till one fell, and the others 
piled on top of him, and the wagon above them all. Then the 
heels flew. In a few seconds there were some kindling-wood and 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 333 

strips of harness lying around loose. With much labor the jjile 
was disentangled, and the party was astonished to find no damage 
done to the mules, who shook tliemselves, and meekly gazed upon 
the scene as if nothing in particular had happened. 

Knowing from experience that oxen were conservative in their 
nature, and would exercise a healthful influence upon such a, team, 
one of the party returned to Independence, purchased a yoke of 
well-trained steers, hitched them to the team, and there were no 
more stampedes nor settings back in the harness. 

The party joined a great train of fellow-travellers, experienced 
all the hardships of the long journey, lasting one hundred and 
two days, when they reached Pleasant valley in California on 
Sept. 2. 

Mr. Call and his companions took up a claim near Weaverville, 
and worked till driven out by the fall rains, when they made their 
way to Sacramento. The yield of gold was about $20 a day. 
As no business offered at Sacramento, the party proceeded to San 
Francisco, and pitched their tent at the foot of Mission street, ob- 
tained a boat, boarded ships as they arrived, and purchased flour, 
potatoes, and other provisions, which they retailed at a good prof- 
it, returning to the mines in the spring. 

After a year and a half of absence, Mr. Call visited Boscawen, 
and removed his family to San Francisco, where he still resides. 

CALL, JOXAS, 

The third son of Lemuel Call, was born in Boscawen, April 
24, 1826. He attended the district school, and by dint of hard 
labor was able to attend Blanchard academy, Pembroke, ten 
weeks. 

Arriving at his majority, he began the battle of life — taught 
school in winter, and worked at various occupations in summer. 

When the news was received of the discovery of gold in Cali- 
fornia, he was in Maine. Upon the receipt of a letter from his 
brother William, at Lawrence, requesting his opinion in regard 
to a trial of their fortunes in the land of gold, the younger brother 
instead of replying by letter, answered in person, ready to start 
at once. 

Some of the incidents of the journey are set forth in the bio- 
graphical notice of his brother William. 



334 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Mr. Jonas Call, while in the mines, discovered that the profits 
of a boarding-house — especially one for miners, where the hoarder 
settled his account promptly — were quite as great in the long 
run as rocking the mining-cradle ; and he turned his attention to 
that business. He was also successful in mining. He saw, also, 
that San Francisco was destined to be a great metropolis, and 
secured a plot of land in the suburbs, which has greatly in- 
creased in value. 

He visited the East after an absence of several years, and mar- 
ried Miss Mary A. Stone, of Acton, Mass., and returned to Cali- 
fornia. 

Mr. Call again visited the East, and took up his residence for 
one season on the old homestead, enjoying rest and relaxation 
after years of business activity. 

He returned to California in 1873, and embarked in a new 
mining enterprise, which has yielded large returns. 

During the reign of the vigilance committee in San Francisco, 
when the law-and-order-abiding citizens took possession of the 
city government, which had fallen into the hands of a set of 
thieves and murderers, Mr. Call was on the side of law. He shoul- 
dered his rifle, took his place in the ranks, and aided in purging 
the body politic. 

CASS, JOXATHAX. 

One of the first houses built west of Blackwater river was 
erected by Jonathan Cass, father to Hon. Lewis Cass. He moved 
from Exeter to Boscawen, and settled near Long pond, on the 
farm now occupied by the venerable David Sweat. The cellar is 
near Mr. Sweat's house. Mr. Cass was a blacksmith, and did all 
the smithing for the entire region. He was an upright and hon- 
orable man, a good workman and citizen. * 

Hon. Lewis Cass was born in Exeter, and never lived in Bos- 
cawen. Mr. Cass's wife died in Exeter, and he having married 
a second time moved to Boscawen, where he had a son, Barnard, 
born to him, who moved to Muskingum, Ohio. 

COFFIX, PETER, CAPT. 

He was born in Newbury, May 21, 1722, son of Jolm and 
Judith (Greenleaf) Coffin, and was a nephew of Col. Joseph Coffin, 





on^aA 



^oJl 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 335 

clerk of tlie proprietors of Contoocook. He married Eebecca 
Haseltine, of Chester, moved to Concord in 1766, and to Boscawen 
in 1768-69. He settled on Water street, erecting the house oc- 
cupied through life by his son Thomas. 

At t]iat time there were but two, or, at the most, three, houses 
in what is now the town of Webster. His house became the con- 
venient stopping-place for all new settlers. Capt. Coffin soon 
had corn to sell ; and no matter liow scarce the grain, or how 
high the current price, he never made a man's necessity his own 
opportunit3\ He was known as the poor man's friend. 

He had no desire for public office, and when chosen constable, 
when the town would not accept his declination, hired Benjamin 
Eastman to perform his duties. 

He was an ardent patriot during the Eevolution, and although 
there is no record of his election as delegate to the Provincial 
congress, held at Exeter, April 21, 1775, yet his name appears on 
the list as a member of that all-important body. He served 
in the campaign of 1777, upon the approach of Burgoyne. 

He was ever ready to support the religious institutions of the 
day, was a liberal, large-liearted man, respected and beloved. He 
died suddenly, Dec. 15, 1789. 

COFFIX, REBECCA H. 

Eebecca Haseltine, wife of Capt. Peter Coffin, was born in 
Chester, IST. H. She was married in the fall of 1768. Dur- 
ing the summer Capt. Coffin had erected the frame of a house 
now occupied by Mr. Colb}', on Water street. The masons had 
constructed the chimney, the boards and shingles were on the 
sides and roof, and the south-west corner room had been parti- 
tioned off, when the young bride, seated on a pillion behind her 
husband, reached her future home. Their house was on the fron- 
tier of civilization. Possibly two individuals had gone l;)eyond 
them, to Corser hill and Blackwater, but the only road was a cart- 
path over the rocks and hillocks, corduroyed upon the marshy 
places. 

The newly married couple were beginning life. They had few 
household articles, — a bed, kettle, frying-pan, wooden or pewter 
plates, a knife and fork each, and a few other household articles, — 
all of which were packed upon a led horse ; but they had strong 



336 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

hands, and were undaunted by the hardships and trials before 
them. 

While the husband was making the woods bow before his 
sturdy strokes, the wife kept the wheel humming or the loom in 
action from morn till night. She was a thrifty woman, looking 
ever after the savings as well as the earnings. She was at the 
same time liberal and kind, relieving the wants of those who were 
having a hard time iii life. 

Dea. Enoch Little, who often when a boy ate a bowl of bread 
and milk in her house, was accustomed to say, that if it had not 
been for the kindness of Capt. and Mrs. Coffin, his father's family 
wo;ild have found it hard to get through their first year in 
Boscawen. 

Mrs. Coffin was intenselj" patriotic, and when the stamp act im- 
posed a duty on tea, she resolutely put away the few ounces in 
her caddy, and would not have any of it used until the act was 
repealed. 

In 1777, when the order came for Capt. Peter Kimball's com- 
pany to march to Bennington, there were two soldiers who had 
no shirts to wear. Mrs. Coffin had a web partially woven in the 
loom. Seizing her shears she cut out Avhat she had woven, sat 
up through the night, and made two shirts ; and in the morning 
the soldiers, thus provided for, took their places in the ranks. 

That was on the morning of July 4th. On the 15th of the 
same month she gave birth to her second son, Thomas. A month 
passed. On the 16tli of August the victory of Bennington was 
won. Messengers brought the glad news, and Capt. Coffin, who 
had been out in a previous campaign, started once more, leaving 
his energetic wife with five children, — the oldest a boy of seven 
years, the youngest an infant of five weeks. 

The wheat was dead ripe ; the birds were devouring it ; the 
winds were scattering the grains. It must be gathered ; — but who 
could gather it, when nearly every able-bodied citizen was hasten- 
ing to drive back the enemy ? She remembered that Enoch 
Little, who had moved to Little hill a few months before, had sev- 
eral sons, for she had supplied them with bread and milk the 
previous summer, while Mr. Little was rearing his cabin. Pos- 
sibly she might obtain one of the boys. She leaves the four old- 
est children at home, in the care of the eldest, Enoch, the boy of 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 337 

seven years, mounts the mare, takes Iier infant of five weeks in 
her arms, rides through the forest, along the bhized path, fording 
Beaver-dam brook, climbing Corser hill, fording the Blackwater, 
making her way to the log cabin of Mr. Little, to find that the 
three eldest sons are in the army, — that the oiily boy who can 
aid her is Enoch, fourteen years old. 

" Enoch can go, but he has no clothes," is the answer of Mrs. 
Little to Mrs. Coffin's request. 

The boy has no coat, vest, hat, stockings, or shoes. His only 
garments are a ragged pair of tow-and-linsey pants, and a rag- 
ged shirt. 

"I can provide him with a coat," is the reply. 

The boy leaps upon the pillion, and the mother, with the infant 
in her arms, rides back through the forest to her home. 

Enoch Little is no ordinary boy. He hears the birds in the 
woods, — but he has work to do, and plies the sickle, while Mrs. 
Coffin, in the house, is making him a coat. She has no cloth, but 
she has a meal-bag; and cutting a hole for his head, two holes for 
his arms, and, sewing on the legs of a pair of her own long stock- 
ings for sleeves, the garment is complete ! 

Then going into the field, she \njs her infant beneath the 
shade of a tree, and binds the sheaves ! So she serves her coun- 
try ; so does what she can for human freedom. 

She survived her husband many years. She was a woman of 
great energy of character, and trained her sons to prize character 
above everything else. All honor to her memory. 

COFFIIS", CHARLES CARLETOX, 

Was born in Boscawen July 26, 1823, son of Thomas and Hannah 
(Kilburn) Coffin. His education, beyond the advantages of the 
district school, Avas obtained at the academy on the Plain, and 
one term at Blanchard academy, Pembroke. During the winter 
of 1842, more for pastime than from any plan for the future, he 
studied land surveying and the rudiments of civil engineering. 
The time soon came when the slight knowledge thus obtained 
could be turned to account. He joined the engineers' corps 
in the preliminary surveys of the Northern Eailroad in 1845, and 
was employed upon its construction in 1846, also upon the pre- 
22 



338 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

liminary survey of the Concord & Portsmouth road, and later 
upon the Concord & Claremont. 

He was married Feb. 18, 1846, to Miss Sallie Russell Farmer, 
daughter of Col. John Farmer, and sister of Prof. Moses G. Far- 
mer. He purchased a farm on Pleasant street, now owned by 
Mr. Tyler Sweatt, but health failing, decided to turn his attention 
to other pursuits. This determination was brought about by the 
favor with which some fugitive contributions to the newspapers 
of the day were received by the public. His first article was pub- 
lished in 1845, in the Congregational Journal., published in Con- 
cord. He contributed to the Granite Farmer, printed at Man- 
chester, and to the New Hampshire Statesman / was one of the 
founders of the N. H. State Agricultural Society, and an active 
member. 

In the fall of 1849, Mr. Coffin constructed a telegraph line con- 
necting the Astronomical Observatorj^ of Harvard College in Cam- 
bridge with the telegraph lines in Boston, for the purpose of put- 
ting it in connection with other observatories ; and in 1851 had 
charge of the construction of the telegraphic fire-alarm for the city 
of Boston, under the care of Prof. M. G. Farmer, and gave the 
first alarm ever given by telegraph, April 29, 1852. 

While performing these duties he found time to continue his 
contributions to the press. Some stories entitled " The Old Man's 
Meditations," contributed to the Boston Traveller, may be found 
in Littell's Living Age, 1852. Some lines, — " Death at Sunset," 
— contributed to the Knickerhocher , have become one of the 
selections of lyceum readers. Many of his contributions at this 
time were to the Boston Museum, a literary journal. He occa- 
sionally reported meetings and agricultural fairs for the daily 
press, and was employed as assistant editor of the Practical Far- 
mer, an agricultural journal conducted by Col. Wm. S. King. 

From 1854 to 1860 Mr. Coffin was employed on several of the 
newspapers published in Boston, — the Journal, Atlas, Traveller, 
Bee^ and Transcript, — and during the winter of 1860-61 was 
employed as night editor of the Boston Journal. The Southern 
states were then seceding, the peace congress was in session, and 
Mr. Coffin, during the long hours of the night, had time for 
reflection upon the events of the hour, and saw, what all men did 
not see, that a conflict of arms was approaching. He was then a 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 339 

resident of Maiden, and, the morning after the surrender of Fort 
Sumter, took measures for the calling of a public meeting of the 
citizens of that town to sustain the President, — one of the first 
of the meetings held throughout the country. 

Upon the breaking out of the war, Mr. Coffin became a corre- 
spondent of the Journal, writing over the signature of " Carleton," 
was present at the first battle of Bull Run, reached Washington 
during the night, and sent a full account of the action on the fol- 
lowing morning. 

In the fall he joined the Army of the West, sent an account of 
the taking of Fort Henry, which was republished in the papers of 
New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, before any other account 
was published. Comprehending the craving of the public for 
information, and the importance of having his correspondence 
appear before any other, he took the first train from Cairo, wrote 
his account in the cars, which when completed was placed in the 
hands of an express messenger, while the Avriter returned to his 
post of observation. By adopting this method, the Boston Jour- 
nal was placed ahead of all its contemporaries, and published the 
account two days before any other paper in the country heard 
from its correspondent. 

Mr. Coffin was at the surrender of Fort Donelson, reported the 
movements of the Army of the West from Pittsburg Landing to 
Corinth, the operations at Island No. 10, New Madrid, Fort Pil- 
low, and the battle of the gunboats at Memphis, viewing it from 
the deck of one of Admiral Davis's vessels. 

Returning to the Army of the Potomac, he witnessed the battles 
of Antietam and Fredericksburg. Knowing that a powerful fleet 
of monitors was on its way to attack Fort Sumter, he visited the 
Department of the South, and witnessed the attack and repulse, 
and also the failure at Fort McAllister. 

During twelve days of the Gettysburg campaign, Mr. Coffin rode 
between 250 and 300 miles in the saddle, more than 900 in the 
cars, was on the battle-field three days and nights, and wrote a full 
and elaborate account, which was republished in many papers 
throughout the country, and was translated and copied by the 
press of Berlin and Paris. 

When Gen. Sherman reached the sea-coast Mr. Coffin hastened 
South, and the information that the flag of the Union was once 



340 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

more floating over Sumter was first given to the world through 
the Journal, and was telegraphed over the country before any 
paper in New York had possession of tlie intelligence. 

In the campaign of 18G4, the JournaV s correspondent was an 
eye-witness of everj^ engagement from the Wilderness to Peters- 
burg, and of nearly all the battles around Petersburg and Rich- 
mond, which city he entered upon its occupation by the Union 
troops. 

The correspondence of Mr. Coffin was accepted by the public 
as authentic, and gave the Boston Journal a wide circulation. 
The edition containing the account of the battle of Gettysbixrg ex- 
ceeded one hundred and twent}^ thousand copies, while the daily 
circulation not unfrequently reached eighty thousand. His letters 
were regularly read by more than a quarter of a million of people. 

Upon the breaking out of the war between Austria, on the one 
side, and Prussia and Italy on the other, in 1866, Mr. Coffin, ac- 
companied by Mrs. Coffin, sailed for Europe ; but Austria, having 
been crippled by the single battle of Konnigratz, a truce was de- 
clared. Mr. Coffin remained abroad, however, writing a series 
of letters on current events. He visited Italy ; saw the occupation 
of Venice by the Italians ; reported the Paris exhibition of 1866 ; 
reported the scenes in the House of Parliament in England on 
the reform bill; was present at the coronation of the empe- 
ror of Austria as king of Hungary ; made the acquaintance 
of many of the public men of Europe ; visited Greece, Turkey, 
Syria, Palestine, and Egjq^t ; embarked at Suez for Bombay ; 
travelled across India, before the completion of the railroad ; vis- 
ited Malacca, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai ; sailed up 
the Yang-tse six hundred miles ; visited Japan ; crossed the Pa- 
cific to California ; and crossed the plains before the completion of 
the Pacific Eailroad, — having been absent two years and five 
months. His corresjiondence dui-ing these years was widely read. 

Of books, Mr. Coffin has published '' My Days and Nights on 
the Battle-Eield," issued 1863; ''Following the Flag," 1865; 
"Winning his Way," 1865 ; " Pour Years of Fighting," 1866 ; 
"Our New Way Eoimd the World," 1869; "The Seat of Empire," 
1871; "Caleb Krinkle," 1874; "The Boys of '76," 1876. Another 
volume, " The Story of Liberty," will be issued in the spring of 
1878. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



341 



The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by 
Amherst college in 1870. He is an active member of the New 
England Genealogical and Historical Society, and has contributed 
to the library of that institution many valuable manuscripts re- 
lating to the late Rebellion. He has been elected a member of the 
American Geographical Society, honorary member of the N. H. 
Historical Society, and member of the American Association for 
the Advancement of Science. 

He has made many addresses on public occasions, and given 
more than five hundred lectures before lyceums. He gave the 
centennial oration in his native town, July 4, 187G, and at the 
request of his fellow-citizens has compiled the history of Boscawen 
and Webster. . 

COFFIN, NEHEMIAH C. 

Nehemiah Cogswell Coffin, son of Moses and Susanna (Farnum) 
Coffin, was born March 24, 1815. He prepared for college at 
Meriden academy, graduated at Dartmouth in 1836, taught the 
academy at Wolfeborough two years, studied theology at Andover, 
Mass., and at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, was ordained pastor of 
the Presbyterian church. Fearing, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1843. From 
thence he removed to Bremen, Ohio, where he preached two years, 
and from thence to Hebron, Ohio, where he remained six years. 

In 1851 he became connected with the female seminary at 
Granville, and was pastor at Piqua, Ohio, from 1852 to 1860. 
His health failing, he removed to Marblehead, near Sandusky, 
and gave his attention to the cultivation of the grape, thinking 
by rural occupation to regain his health. He married Miss Susan 
Rust, of Wolfeborough [see Gen.]. He died Jan. 9, 1868, after 
a life of much usefulness, lamented by all who knew him. 

COKSER, REV. ENOCH, 

Was born in Boscawen Jan. 2, 1787. He was the son of David 
Corser, and great-great-grandson of John, who (as is believed) was 
born in Scotland in 1678, emigrated to this country about 1690 
[see Gen.]. 

Possessing an active intellect and a natural fondness for study, 
Enoch Corser early decided to obtain a liberal education. After 
a term of study at Salisbury academy, he completed his pre- 



342 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

paratory course under the tuition of Rev. Samuel Wood, was ad- 
mitted to Middlebury college, Vt., 1807, and graduated in 1811. 

Ul^on leaving college he opened a grammar school in Danvers, 
Mass., following the occupation two and a half years, Avhen he be- 
gan the study of theology with Rev. Walter Harris, d. d., of 
Dunbarton, and in the following year, 1815, was licensed to 
preach. After some months of labor at Middleton, Mass., and 
Colebroolv, N. H., he began preaching in Loudon, where he was 
settled in March, 1817. In the following May he married Miss 
Sally Gerrish, daughter of Col. Joseph Gerrish, of Boscawen. 

He remained in Loudon till 1837, when, after preaching a short 
time at Meredith Village, he accepted a situation with the church 
at Sanbornton Bridge, preaching jis "stated supply," teaching 
also a part of the time in the academy till 1843. During the fol- 
lowing year he supplied the church at Plymouth, and at Lyndon, 
Vt. In 1845 he began pastoral labor at Epping, where he re- 
mained till 1848, when he removed to Boscawen, supplying the 
pulpit at Fislierville and other places. 

In 1850, while fulfilling an engagement at Warner, he was 
prostrated by paralysis, but from which he recovered, and began 
preaching again in his old parish in Loudon, where he remained 
two years, till prostrated by sickness. He continued to reside 
in Boscawen till his death, Jan. 17, 1868. 

He was a man of great intellectual ability, rarely wrote his dis- 
courses, was earnest, forcible, and at times eloquent in the pre- 
sentation of truth, an excellent pastor, and beloved by those who 
attended upon his ministrations. 

CORSER, CALEB B., COL. 

He was the second son of David and Judith (Burbank) Corser, 
and was born in Boscawen Oct. 14, 1803. His father's family 
emigrated to western New York, 1821, and settled first near 
Canandaigua, and from thence removed to Ogden, Monroe county. 
He was united in marriage, 1828, to Henrietta S. Spencer, of 
Spencerport, who died in 1840. His second wife was R. Maria 
Chapman, of East Haddam, Conn., who survives him. 

He was a farmer, but was elected a magistrate, and during his 
term of office, which continued for more than twenty years, none 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 343 

of liis decisions were overruled by a higher court. One marked 
feature was his promptness in the discharge of every duty. His 
word was as good as his bond. He was alive to all progressive 
movements, plain in his manner of life, and liberal in his benefac- 
tions. 

During the outbreak upon the Canadian frontier he commanded 
a regiment of riflemen, but there was no occasion for actual ser- 
vice. He was often called upon to serve the public as a member 
of the state assembly. In 1863 he settled in Rochester, where 
he died •April 26, 1875, honored and respected by his fellow- 
citizens. 

CHANDLER, ABIEL R. 

Abiel Rolfe Chandler was born in Boscawen Aug. 25, 1805, son 
of Nathan and Jane (Rolfe) Chandler. He married Eliza J. Mor- 
rison, of Boscawen, and settled on a farm west of Fisherville. He 
was several years selectman and representative [see Town Offi- 
cers]. In 1852 he moved to Lawrence, accepting a situation in 
the employ of the Essex company, where he still resides [see 
Gen.]. 

COGSWELL, JOHN C, 

Came to Boscawen at the date of his first marriage, N'ovember, 
1821, purchased the place now owned by T. P. Raymond, and es- 
tablished himself in the business of tanning and currying, in which 
he was eminently successful. He was a vahiable and highly 
es.teemed citizen, holding during his life several town offices of re- 
sponsibility. His death occurred Jan. 14, 1841. He was a lineal 
descendant of Lord Humphrey Cogswell, an English nobleman of 
the fifteenth century, and of John Cogswell, a London merchant, 
who came to this country in 1635, and settled in Essex, Mass., 
then called Chebacco, where many of his descendants now reside. 

CURRIER, MOODY, HON., 

Was born in Boscawen, April 22, 1806. At an early age his 
parents moved to Dunbarton, and thence to Bow, where his early 
years were passed on a farm, attending the district school about 
six weeks during the winter. He had an insatiable desire for 



344 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

information, and devoured all the books lie could lay liis hands on, 
reading through the long winter evenings Ly the light of a pitch- 
pine knot, or a tallow candle. 

He fitted for college at Hopkinton academy, and graduated at 
Dartmouth in 1834. 

Soon after leaving college he taught school in Concord, and, in 
company with Plon. Asa Fowler, edited the Neio Hampshire Lit- 
erary Gazette. He w^as afterwards principal of the Hopkinton 
academy for one year, and in 18.36 became principal of the higli 
school at Lowell, Mass. He held that position for five y(#ir3, and 
in 1841 removed to Manchester, where he has since continued to 
reside. During his residence at Hopkinton and Lowell he stud- 
ied lav>', and on going to Manchester was admitted to the bar, 
and became a law partner with Hon. George W. Morrison. In 
1842 he purchased an intei-est in a Aveekl}^ newspaper, the Man- 
chester Democrat, and devoted a part of his time to editorial 
labors for about a year. His partnership with Mr. JMorrison was 
dissolved in 1843, but he continued in the practice of his profes- 
sion independently until 1848. In that year the iVmoskeag Bank 
was organized, and he became its cashier, and has continued in 
the banking business since that time. 

Upon the organization of the Amoskeag Savings Bank, in 1852, 
he became its treasurer, and still holds the office. When the 
Amoskeag National Bank was orgaiiized to succeed the old Amos- 
keag Bank, in 1864, he became its president. He has been a di- 
rector in the People's Bank at Manchester since it was organized, 
in 1874 ; a director in the Blodgett Edge Tool Company during 
the existence of the corporation ; president and treasurer of the 
Amoskeag Axe Company since its organization, in 1862 ; a direc- 
tor in the Manchester Gas Light Company since 1862 ; a director 
in the INIanchester Mills since the organization of the corporation, 
in 1874 ; treasiirer of the Concord & Portsmouth Railroad Com- 
pany since 18o6 ; treasurer of the Concord Railroad Compan}^ in 
1871 and 1872 ; and is now treasurer of the New England Loan 
Company, and president of the Eastern Railroad Company in New 
Hampshire. 

He was clerk of the New Hampshire senate in 1843 and 1844, 
and was elected a member of that body from the third district in 
1856 and 1857, and was president of the senate in the latter 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 345 

year. He was elected councillor in ISGO and 1S61, and was chair- 
man of the war committee of the council during the first fifteen 
months of the war of the Rebellion. In that position he exhib- 
ited great ability and energy, and rendered efficient service to the 
state and the nation. He entered with his whole soul into the 
business of raising and equipping troops, and won great praise 
from all parties for his efforts in this direction. Tlie first eight 
regiments of infantry, the 1st New Hampshire Battery, together 
with four companies of cavalry and three companies of sharp- 
shooters, were organized, equipped, and sent to the front with the 
utmost despatch, while Mr. Currier was at the head of the Avar 
committee. In compliment to him, the rendezvous of the Sth Reg- 
iment at Manchester was named "Camp Currier." 

Mr. Currier has been three times married. His first wife was 
Miss Lucretia Dustin, to whom he was married December 8, 1836. 
His second wife, to whom he was married September 5, 1847, was 
Miss Mary W. Kidder. He was married to Miss Hannah A. 
Slade, his present wife, November 16, 1869. 

He has had three children, one of whom, Charles M. Currier, 
survives, and is the teller of the Amoskeag National Bank. 

Mr. Currier has an ardent temperament, and versatile talent. 
His practical judgment is shown in the success of the banking in- 
stitutions which he has managed for many years, and also in the 
success of the various other enterprises with which he has been 
connected in an official capacity. He is methodical and cautious 
in his habits, and has always sustained the reputation of being 
honorable and upright in all his business relations. 

He maintains a high rank as a scholar, and, unlike many other 
men who have enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, he 
has throughout his whole life taken a strong interest in the study 
of literature, science, and philosophy. He retains a taste for the 
ancient classics, and is quite familiar with the French, German, and 
several other modern languages ; he has Avritten many pieces of 
poetry, at intervals of leisure, which are very creditable in taste 
and composition. He is an independent thinker upon all sub- 
jects, and, though he is decided in his convictions and frank in 
the avowal of his opinions, cherishes a tolerant spirit, and en- 
tertains the highest respect for those with whom he is obliged to 
differ. 



346 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

By industry and prudence lie has acquired a handsome fortune, 
and ]iis residence is a model of taste. He is liberal in his 
gifts to worthy objects, and especially to those which relate to in- 
tellectual culture. In 1876 he presented to the Manchester city 
library upwards of seven hundred volumes of valuable boohs, — 
standard, classical, illustrated, ecclesiastical, and scientific. These 
books were numbered and classed in the catalogue of the library 
as the " Currier donation." In acknowledgment of this generous 
gift, resolutions of thanks to Mr. Currier were passed in both 
hranches of the city government, and by the hoard of trustees of 
the city library. 

He has been for many years a member of the Unitarian society 
of Manchester, and one of its most liberal benefactors. 

DIX, TIMOTHY, LIEUT.-COL. 

The subject of this notice, after having passed several years as 
a clerk in the mercantile house of Col. Means, at Amherst, N. H., 
settled in Boscawen with his father, Timothy Dix,'and his grand- 
father, Jonathan Dix, about the year 1790. The latter died in 
Boscawen at the age of 94 years, and his son at Pembroke, 
in 1824, at the age of 73. Timothy Dix, Sr., the father of 
Col. Dix, was for several years post-master on Boscawen Plain, 
and is noticed in the historical collections of the state as distin- 
guished for " integrity, faithfulness, firmness, promptitude, deci- 
sion, and strong attachment to the cause of his country." 

He raised a company of soldiers during the Revolutionary war, 
and was familiarly known during his life as Lieut. Dix. 

Col. Timothy Dix was a man of great activity and enterprise, 
and gave a vigorous impulse to improvements in the town, and 
particularl}' in the village of his residence, known as Boscawen 
Plain. 

The character of the district school, which was far in advance 
of most others at that period, was largely due to his earnest and 
persevering efforts. The teachers were usually engaged by him, 
and were selected with a careful regard to their talents and social 
standing. Among them were Gen. Fessenden, of Portland, Me., 
father of the late senator from that state, and the accomplished 
Grace Fletcher, the first wife of Daniel Webster. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



347 



While Col. Dix was engaged in mercantile transactions, on an 
extended scale for a country merchant, he purchased a township 
in the northern part of the state, which hears his name, and 
which has recently hecoine renowned for its hold and romantic 
scenery. By the terms of the sale, he was to make certain im- 
provements within a given time ; but in consequence of severe 
losses in his business, caused chiefly by the embargo during the 
administrations of Jefferson and Madison, he was unable to fulfil 
his engagements, and the ownership of the town passed into other 
hands. 

At the commencement of the war of 1812, he was appointed a 
major in a New Hampshire regiment, and was soon afterwards 
transferred to the 14th Regiment of U. S. Infantry, a battalion of 
which was recruited under his superintendence, in Maryland. 

Early in the spring of 1813 he marched from Baltimore to 
Sackett's Harbor with the troops he had raised, and in the fall of 
that year he was pi-omoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, the 
colonel having been captured by the enemy on the Niagara fron- 
tier. He took command of the entire regiment. 

He had been prostrated by fever during the summer, and was 
offered the command of Sackett's Harbor by Gen. Wilkinson, when 
the latter was organizing his expedition down the St. Lawrence 
against Montreal, and though strongly solicited by physicians to 
remain, he refused to give up command of his regiment, which 
formed a part of the expedition. 

In the descent of the St. Lawrence it constituted the rear 
guard of the army, which was encamped on the Canadian bank of 
the river, near Chrystler's fields, on the 10th of October. Early in 
the morning it was attacked by a fleet of British gunboats, which 
hung upon the rear of the American forces, and brought on the 
battle on the 11th. He had the day before been seized with a vio- 
lent inflammatory attack of pneumonia, and was borne by his 
son, John A. Dix, and two other officers of his regiment, under the 
fire of the enemy, to his boat, in which he died two days after- 
wards. 

Col. Dix Avas not onlj^ a man of excellent business capacity, of 
unconquerable determination in all he undertook, and of indefati- 
gable industry, but he was an accomplished draughtsman, a taste- 
ful musician, and a leader among his fellow-citizens in all intel- 



348 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

lectual pursuits and undertakings. His descendants have inher- 
ited his fondness for mental and personal accomplishments, and 
some of them have acquired a distinguished reputation in the 
field, in the forum, in literature, and in the fine arts. He was a 
man of fine presence, of remarkably courteous and gentlemanly 
bearing, and carried into his intercourse with others a degree of 
frankness and freedom from assumption which won for him the 
kind feeling of those with whom he was associated. He was for 
several years the representative in the legislature of the town 
which he had greatly benefited by his enterprise and by the special 
exertions which he made to promote the interests of education. 

DIX, JOHX ADAMS, GOV. 

John Adams Dix was born in Boscawen, IST. H., on the 24th day 
of Jul}', A. D. 1798. His father, CoL Timothy Dix, Jr., was one of 
the most enterprising citizens of the town. His grandfather, Timo- 
thy Dix, is still remembered hj some of the survivors of the period 
as an u])right and intelligent man, and as post-master for many 
years. His great-grandfather, Jonatlian Dix, died in tlie village 
at the age of 94. 

John Adams Dix, when ten years of age, was placed under the 
tuition of the Rev. Dr. Wood, by whom many of the first 3'oung 
men in the state of New Hampshire were trained in classical lit- 
erature for college. The following year he was sent to Salisbury 
academy, of which Col. Long, afterwards an eminent topographical 
engineer in the service of the United States, was preceptor. In 
1810 he became a student at Exeter academy, during the presi- 
dency of the Rev. Dr. Abbot, and there continued his classical 
studies. In both those institutions he gave promise of the dis- 
tinction which he gained in after years as a public speaker. At 
the commencement of the year 1811 his father sent him to a col- 
lege in Montreal, for the purpose of acquiring the French language, 
where he remained until July, 1812. In that month all Americans 
upwards of fourteen 3'ears of age were ordered to leave Canada, in 
consequence of the declaration of war by the United States against 
Great Britain. From July to December he continued his studies 
under private tutors in Boston, and made rapid progress in Latiu; 
Greek, Spanish, mathematics, and elocution. 




v^ 





M.-'vJ GE^'- JUHN A DIX 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 349 

In December, 1812, he received his first commission in the army, 
and was ordered to report to his father, who was then in Maryland, 
raising the 14th Regiment of Infantry. In March, 1813, lie re- 
signed his cadet's appointment, received the commission of ensign 
in his father's regiment, and in the following month joined the 
army at Sackett's Harbor. His father, being then in command 
of the 14th Infantry, w^as attacked by severe illness, which in- 
creased to such a degree that he was unable to walk; and he 
was borne, by his son and a brother officer, under the fire of the 
enemy, on the morning of the battle of Chrystler's fields, to a boat 
on the St. Lawrence, in which he died as the army was landing at 
French Mills. During the war, young Dix, — who, before he was 
fifteen years of age, was acting adjutant of an independent battal- 
ion of the regular army, commanded by Major Timothy Upham, 
— filled several staff appointments, and was afterwards for several 
years aide-de-camp to Major-General Jacob Brown, when the lat- 
ter was at the head of the American army. While holding these 
appointments, with a view to returning to private life he com- 
menced the study of the law, under William Wirt, then attorney- 
general of the United States. On resigning his commission in 
the army, he was admitted to the bar in the city of Washington. 

In 1828, at the village of Cooperstown, N. Y., Mr. Dix com- 
menced the practice of the law. In 1831, he received the ap- 
pointment of adjutant-general of the state, and removed to xilbany. 
In 1833, he was made secretary of the state. While adjutant- 
general, he made a report on the militia system ; and while secre- 
tary of state, he made a report on the education of common-school 
teachers, and another on the geology of the state. These papers 
are marked by extraordinary ability, and have ever been regarded 
as standards in those departments of knowledge. He was called 
upon, without previous consultation with him, by the legislature, 
to report a plan for a geological survey, in the spring of 1835 ; 
and, without any previous knowledge on the subject, he prepared 
himself, by indefatigable labor during the summer, for the per- 
formance of the service, and was able to present his report at the 
opening of the session of the legislature in the ensuing January. 
It was adopted, and made the basis of the important work, whose 
record, in some twenty quarto volumes, is well known to the sci- 
entific community. 



350 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

General Dix went to Europe in the year 1842, and returned in 
1844. In January, 1845, he was chosen a senator of the United 
States in place of Silas Wright, who had been elected governor 
of the state of New York in the month of November j^receding. 
His first effort was a speech on the Oregon question, delivered in 
the senate, Feb. 18 and 19, 1846. It placed him at once in the 
front rank of public orators and statesmen. When he took his 
seat. Col. Benton, the veteran senator from Missouri, rose and 
said, — 

" I propose to speak to a branch of this question — not the 
branch of it on which the senator from New York on my right [Mr. 
Dix] has spoken. If I had intended to speak on that branch, 
I should have given up the design after hearing his speech 
of yesterday and to-day. It has left nothing for me to saj^ on the 
point of title, familiar as I have been with that subject for thirty 
years. He has placed the American title to the Columbia and to 
the coast north of it on ground from which it can never be re- 
moved, and which must put an end to the argument wherever that 
speech is read. A speech more perfect in its proofs, better sus- 
tained by history, more crowded with material pertinent to the is- 
sue, more satisfactory to all lovers of truth and justice, more 
judiciously conceived and vigorously executed, I have never 
heard delivered ; and I make my congratulations to that senator 
on the service he has rendered to his country, and the honor he 
has gained for himself by its delivery." 

The position thus acquired was in no resjjiect imjiaired by his 
subsequent service in the senate. In his speeches on the ware- 
house system, French spoliations, the Mexican war, the Roman 
mission, slavery, and other questions, he displayed the same abil- 
ity and thorough mastery of his subjects. Charles Sumner once 
said, to a friend, that he should recommend to any young man, pre- 
paring himself for public life, to study the speeches of Gen. Dix 
in preference to any others, as models of ability, eloquence, and 
senatorial dignity. 

In the year 1853, at the urgent request of President Pierce, he 
accepted the office of assistant treasurer in the city of New York, 
and was relieved, at his own solicitation, at the end of six months, 
after having received and disbursed some sixty millions of dollars. 
Early in 1860, the postmaster in the same city having absconded 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 351 

witli $150,000 of the public money, Gen. Dix was called upon by 
President Buchanan to take that office. He held it until January, 
1861, when, on the occurrence of another and a far more urgent 
emergency, his services were again in request, and he was ap- 
pointed secretar}^ of the treasury after the desertion of Cobb, who 
became one of the leaders in the movement to overtlirow the gov- 
ernment. It was while in that position that Gen. Dix gave the 
remarkable order, which sent a thrill through the l:)reasts of all 
American patriots, when the secessionists were taking forcible 
possession of the mints, forts, arsenals, and revenue cutters of the 
United States. Having been advised by his agent that a captain 
of one of those cutters refused to obey his orders, he directed the 
lieutenant to arrest him, and treat him as a mutineer if he resist- 
ed, closing his dispatch with the command, which will be remem- 
bered as long as the nation endures, — " If any one attempts to 
haul dovm the American flag^ shoot him on the spot^'' 

On the 16th of May, 1861, General Dix was appointed major- 
general of U. S. volunteers ; and, after superintending the raising 
of eleven regiments in New York, he was assigned to the com- 
mand of the department embracing the states of Pennsylvania, 
Delaware, and Maryland, and established his head-quarters at Bal- 
timore. Maryland was at that time in a state of semi-rebellion, 
and there is little doubt that an ordinance of secession would have 
been passed if the leaders in the legislature had not been arrested. 
Gen. Dix immediately proceeded to fortify the city, and, by a judi- 
cious combination of firmness and conciliation, the state was car- 
ried in the ensuing fall by a majority of thirty thousand for the 
Union. This important service was followed by a successful expe- 
dition, which he organized and sent to the eastern shore of Virgin- 
ia, dispersing the secessionist forces, and restoring that important 
district to the Union. In the following year he was ordered to 
Fortress Monroe, and succeeded Gen. McClellan in the command 
of the Department of Virginia. His chief services in this depart- 
ment were in the defence of Suffolk, after an investnient of a 
month by a greatly superior force, and his movement against 
Richmond, which contributed to the sudden return of Gen. Lee's 
army to Virginia, after the battle of Gett3-sburg. He was imme- 
diately afterwards ordered to New York during the riots got up 
to defeat the draft, and, after completing it, was continued in com- 



352 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

mancl of tlie Department of the East until Gen. Lee's surrender 
to Gen. Grant, when he resigned his commission in tlie army, and 
returned to private life. 

In October, 18G6, he accepted for a few weeks tlie appointment 
of naval officer of the port of New York, and was appointed min- 
ister to the Hague. He did not accept the latter appointment ; 
and in Novemljer was appointed minister to France. In 1869 
he resigned, and returned to the United States. During his dip- 
lomatic sojourn at the French court, he contributed greatly by 
his courtesy and friendly offices to remove the unkindly impres- 
sion which had grown out of the expedition of Napoleon III to 
Mexico, and to restore the traditionary friendship between France 
and the United States. His diplomatic correspondence with the 
French government embraces, among other matters, the impor- 
tant questions of extradition and exj^atriation ; and should they 
be published, they will be found worthy of his fonner reputation 
for research and solid reasoning. 

The last public service of Gen. Dix was rendered as governor 
of the state of New York, — an office to which he was elected 
against his wishes and remonstrances. It may justly be said, 
that the affairs of that state have not for fifty years been more 
abl}", faitlifuUy, or successfully administered. He found the 
treasury defrauded, in violation of the constitution of the state, of 
more than six millions of dollars ; and during his administration 
of two years he succeeded in replenishing it. His whole course 
was marked by freedom from partisanship and selfishness, and by 
an earnest devotion to the best interests of the people of the state. 
This jDraise has been freely conceded to him, even by his political 
opponents. 

Gen. Dix has never been an applicant for office. The positions 
he has filled were always tendered to him without solicitation on 
his part, and more than once against his earnest protest. He 
was never a favorite with politicians. They were never able to 
use him, and they knew it, and instinctively disliked their moral 
superior. The government and the people have usually had re- 
course to him when they needed aid. It was so when he was 
called to the offices of post-master of New York and secretary of 
the treasury. His predecessors had proved faithless to their 
trusts, and his experience and integrity were needed to carry out 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 353 

indispensable reforms. His name lias earned witli it those ele- 
ments which the public require in time of danger, and which, in 
prosperity, they are prone to pass over till some fresh disaster puts 
them once more in demand. 

JSTo sketch of the life and services of John A. Dix would be com- 
plete which did not make mention of him as a student and a 
scholar. Throughout an official career of nearly half a centurj^, 
with occasional intermissions, he has devoted all his leisure mo- 
ments to literary pursuits, and esj^ecially to the classics. The 
country has very few men so conversant as he with the Latin 
authors, in the study of whose works he takes unceasing delight. 
His translations are remarkable. That of the " Dies Irne," the 
great mediaeval hymn of the Christian church, is ranked by the 
most distinguished critics as among the best renderings of that im- 
mortal production. 

The following translation was made by Gen. Dix, at Fortress 
Monroe, Va., in 1863, when in command of the Department of 
Virginia. He prefaces it with the following remarks : 

" DIES IR.E. 

"I have recently seen in the periodical press several new translations 
of this noble canticle — the best produced by the Middle Ages,' perhaps 
by any age. 

"Among the English versions, that of the Earl of Roscommon seems 
to have caught more of the inspiration of the original than any I have 
seen. It is, nevertheless, a paraphrase rather than a translation. Tliis 
is a serious fault, notwithstanding its high poetic merit. A production 
universally acknowledged to have no superior of its class, should be as 
literally rendered as the structure of the language into which it is trans- 
lated will admit. Moreover, no transhation can be complete which 
does not conform to the original in its rhythmic quantities. The music 
of the Dies Irpe is as old as the hymn, if not older; and with those wlio 
are famiUar with both they are inseparably connected in thought. To 
satisfy tlie exactions of such minds, the cadences must be the same. 

" With full knowledge of what has been done and attempted in our 
language, and of the difficulty of doing better, I have nevertheless ven- 
tured on a translation having in view the two ends which I have point- 
ed out — musical notation, and literal rendering to the extent that is 
attainable. 

" It is the fruit of leisure moments gained from the hard service of 
the camp, on rebel soil, but within Union entrenchments. If, in the 
23 



354 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



ages of paganism, the strings of the Lesbian lyre might be, not un- 
worthily, swept by hands inured to arms, — 

' Qui ferox bello, tamen inter arnia. 



Liberum, et Musas, Veneremque, et illi 
Semper liaerentem piierum canebat,' — 

a soldier in a Christian age may not less worthily find relief from the as- 
perities of war in themes more congenial with the higher dispensations 
which he is, by the providence of God, permitted to share, 
uport , Va., June 17, 1863." 



DIES IR^. 



Dies ira?, dies ilia ! 
Solvet sicclum in favillS, 
Teste David cum Sibylla. 



DIES IR^. 

1. 
Day of vengeance, lo ! that morning 
On the earth in ashes dawning, 
David with the Sibyl warning. 



Qnantus tremor est futurus, 
Quando Judex est venturus, 
Cuucta strict^ discussurus ! 



Ah ! what terror is impending, 
When the Judge is seen descending 
And each secret veil is rending. 



Tuba, mirum spargens soniim 
Per sepulcra regionum, 
Coget omnes ante thronum. 

IV. 

Mors stupebit, et natura, 
Quum resurget creatiu'a 
Judicauti responsura. 

V. 

Liber script us proferetur. 
In quo totum continetur, 
Unde mundus judicetur. 



Judex ergo quum sedebit, 
Quidquid latet .apparebit, 
Kil inultam remauebit. 



To the throne, the trumpet sounding, 
Through the sepulchres resounding. 
Summons all, with voice astounding. 

4. 
Death iind Nature, mazed, are quaking, 
When , the grave's deep slumber breaking, 
Man to judgment is awaking. 

5. 
Now the written book containing 
Record to all time pertaining 
Opens for the world's arraigning. 

6. 
See the Judge his seat attaining, 
Darkest mysteries explaining, 
Nothing unavenged remaining. 



Quid sum miser tunc dicturus.. 
Quern patronum rogaturus, 
Quum vix Justus sit securus? 

VIII. 

Rex tremendoD majestatis, 
Qui salvandos salv.as gratis, 
Salva me, fens pietatis ! 

IX. 

Recordare, Jesu pie, 
Quod sum causa Tuas via ; 
Ne me perdas ilia die ! 



What shall I then say, unfriended, 

By what .advocate attended, 

When the just are scarce defended? 

8. 
King of majesty tremendous. 
By Thy saving grace defend us ; 
Fount of pity, safety send us ! 

9. 
Jesus, think of Thy wayfaring, 
For my sins the death-crown wearing 
Save me, in that day, despairing. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



355 



X. 

QuEerens me sedisti lassus, 
Redemisti, crucein passus; 
Tautus labor iioii sit cassiis! 

XI. 

Juste Judex ultionis, 
Donuni fac remissionis 
Ante diem rationis! 

XII. 

Ingemisco tanquam reus, 
Culpa rubet vultus mens : 
Supplicanti parce, Deus ! 

XIII. 

Qui Mariam absolvisti, 
Et latronem e.xaudisti, 
Mihi quoque spem dedisti. 



Preces mea; non sunt dignse, 
Sed Tu bonus fac benign^, 
Ne perreni cremer igue ! 



Inter oves locum pra>sta, 
Et ab ha>dis me sequestra, 
Statuens in parte dextra ! 

XVI. 

Confutatis maledictis, 
Flammis acribus addictis, 
Voca me cum benedictis ! 

XVII. 

Oro supplex et acclinis, 
Cor contritum quasi cinis: 
Gere curam mei finis! 

XVIII. 

Lacrymosa dies ilia 
Qua resurget ex favilla 
Judicandus homo reus ; 
Huic ergo parce, Deus ! 



10. 

Worn .and weary Thou hast sought me, 
By Thy cross and passion bought me ; — 
Spare the Iiope thy labors brought me. 

11. 

Righteous Judge of retribution, 
Give, O give me absolution 
Ere that day of dissolution. 

12. 
As a guilty culprit gi-oaning, 
Flushed my face, my errors owning. 
Spare, O God, Thy suppliant moaning! 

13. 
Thou to Mary gav'st remission, 
Heard'st the dying thief's petition, 
Bad'st me hope in my contrition. 

14. 
In my prayers no worth discerning, 
Yet on me Thy favor turning, 
Save me from that endless burning! 

15. 
Give me, when Thy sheep confiding 
Thou art from the goats dividing. 
On Thy right a place abiding ! 

16. 
When the wicked are rejected, 
And to bitter flames subjected, 
Call me forth with thine elected! 

17. 
Low in supplication bending. 
Heart as tliough with ashes blending; 
Care for me when all is ending. 

18. 
When on that dread day of weeping 
Guilty man in ashes sleeping 
Wakes to his adjudication. 
Save him, God! from condemnation! 



Gen. Dix is as much at home in modern as in ancient langua- 
ges. During his residence in Paris, while minister to the court 
of France, he was present at a meeting of one of the literary soci- 
eties of that capital, and, on being introduced to the company, 
addressed them in an elegant and effective speech in the French 
language, to the delight of all the listeners. 

His summers are spent at '^ Seafield," his re.sidence at West 
Hampton, on the southern side of Long Island, about seventy 



356 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

miles from New York. The fame of tlie old general as a keen 
sportsman and dead shot has gone through all that region ; and 
there, in congenial pursuits, and surrounded hy a loving and de- 
voted family, he passes, serenely and happily, the closing years of 
a life ^Yhich has heen full of good service to God and his country, 
and on which rests no cloud of dishonor. A state or town is 
honored in hringing forth such citizens, and the men are happy 
who leave such a name after them, for the comfort and encourage- 
ment of future generations. 

DIX, ROGER SHERMAX, MAJ., 

Was horn in Boscawen in 1810, son of Timothy Dix, Jr., and 
younger brother of Gen. John A. Dix. He fitted for college at 
Phillips academy, Andover, and entered Dartmouth when he 
was fourteen, where he remained hut one year, going from there 
to West Point as a cadet. He graduated in 18.32, and was at- 
tached to one of the infantry regiments, and stationed at Little 
Eock, in Arkansas. He was appointed to the quartermaster's 
depot, and subsequently transferred to the paymaster's depart- 
ment. 

Upon the breaking out of the Mexican war, he was attached to 
the army under Gen. Taylor ; and at the battle of Buena Vista 
served as volunteer aid. 

The signal service rendered l»y Maj. Dix in this battle is nar- 
rated by Capt. James H. Carleton, of the 1st Dragoons. The 2d 
Indiana volunteers had given way, and the moment was most 
critical. An effort was made by several officers to rally the fugi- 
tives. The part taken by Maj. Dix is thus set forth : 

" None were so successful in arresting their flight as the intrepid 
Major Dix, of the pay department. Having ridden rapidly among 
them, he seized the standard of the 2d Indiana volunteers, and then 
called to the men, and asked them if they would desert tlieir colors. 
He told them that they had sworn to protect them, and now, if they 
were still determined to do so, they must return with him to the fight. 
He swore to them that with God's help he would not see the state of 
Indiana disgraced by having her flag carried out of battle until it could 
be carried out in triumph ; and that back into it again it should go, if 
he had to take it there and defend it alone. This touched the hearts of 
many of those who were within the sound of his voice. It seemed to 




Birthplace of John Adams Dix. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 357 

baiiisii tlie panic which had fallen on them: they were themselves 
again. Tliey rallied, thought of their homes, gave three cheers for 
Indiana, and again gathered around the flag. Captain Linnard, of the 
topographical engineers, who had been very active in seconding Maj. 
Dix in his appeal, now got a drum and fife, and directed the national 
quickstep to be played, when the word was given to move on. Maj. 
Dix then led off with the flag, while the gallant captain brought up the 
rear; and those thus gathered went back again into battle." 

Maj. Dix died suddenly, in Pennsylvania, of cholera, while on 
a journoy from Tennessee to Washington, in 1849. He was bur- 
ied in the little town of Hannock, near the summit of the Alle- 
ghanies. 

EASTMAN, JOSEPH, CAPT. 

He was son of Joseph and Abigail (Merrill) Eastman, of Salis- 
bury, born in 1720. He moved to Contoocook in 1746. He 
served as a soldier in Col. Blanchard's command in 1754, after the 
attack of the Indians upon Stevenstown (South Franklin). In 
1757 lie enlisted as a ranger in Robert Rogers's battalion, and con- 
tinued in service till the close of the war. 

He was in one of the severest contests ever fought on Ameri- 
can soil, on the shore of Lake George, Jan. 17, 1757, lasting from 
two in the afternoon until dark. The rangers numbered seventy- 
four ; tlie Frendi and Indians more than two hundred and fifty. 
Of the rangers, fourteen were killed, six wounded, and six taken 
prisoners ; while of the French and Indians, one hundred and six- 
teen were killed and wounded. 

In 1760, Gen. Amherst, at Crown Point, wished to communi- 
cate with Gen. Murray, at Quebec, the distance being nearly three 
hundred miles through almost a pathless wilderness, in possession 
of the French and Indians. Gen. Amherst offered fifty pounds 
to any four men who would undertake the journey. Sergeant 
Beverley, who had been a prisoner in Canada, Luxford Goodwin, 
John Shute, and Joseph Eastman, volunteered to accomplish the 
undertaking. 

Shute was from Concord, and all were rangers, accustomed to 
the wilderness. They took despatches and letters, and were 
escorted to Missisquoi bay, on Lake Champlain. They struck 
north-east, and came to the St. Francis river. Tliat stream 
was a great Indian higliway ; and the question was, whether to 



358 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

cross by daylight, or wait till night. They concluded to run the 
risk of getting across during the day, and, collecting driftwood, 
constructed two rafts. 

They cast lots to see who should first attem^it to cross the tur- 
bulent stream. The lot fell to Eastman and Shute. They had 
only two poles. The current swept them down stream. They 
saw that the raft would go over a swift fall, and they managed to 
save themselves by leaping upon a rock with their guns and packs, 
and thence reached the shore. 

The other two were less fortunate. They were swept over the 
falls. Goodwin and Beverley barely escaped with their lives, los- 
ing their coats, provisions, guns, and the letters entrusted to their 
care. 

It was a wet, swampy wilderness through whicli they trav- 
elled. They had little to eat, but pressed on, steering north-east. 
On Sunday morning they heard a bell, and found themselves 
close to a village. Proceeding cautiously, they came to a log 
house, found that the familj' were at church, and helped them- 
selves to provisions and clothing. 

Starting on their way, they came to a second log house, in the 
woods. A ladder rested against the gable end, leading to a door 
fastened with a padlock. They broke open the door, found a 
chest filled witli clothing, and took whatever pleased them. They 
were in the enemy's country, and it was expected of a ranger that 
he would do all the harm he could to the enemy. Tliey avoided 
all roads. At night they came to a farm-house, entered a barn, 
and found a calf, which they killed. Each ranger , shouldered a 
quarter of veal, and took the skin along, kindled a fire in the 
woods, smoked the meat to preserve it, made moccasins of the 
skin, and continued their journey. 

Four days later they came in sight of the St. Lawrence, and dis- 
covered a large encampment of troops. They were uncertain as 
to whether they were French or English. Beverley decided to 
approach the encampment. If they were French, he was to make 
a signal for the other three to take care of themselves., He ap- 
proached the camp. Eastman and his companions saw him stop- 
ped by a sentinel. After a short parley, they shook hands. 
Upon this, Eastman, Shute, and Goodwin approached, and were 
heartily welcomed. They were twenty miles above Quebec, but 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 359 

were at once sent to the city. Arriving there at midnight, they 
were taken to Gen. Murray's quarters, slept on the floor in the 
kitchen till morning, when they were taken into a large hall, 
where Gen. Murray and a hundred officers of various grades were 
assembled to hear their story. Gen. Murray treated them to the 
very best of liquor, "such," said Shute, "as I never have tasted 
before nor since, nor have I ever drank anything so good in my 
life." They were separately examined, and all had but one story 
to tell. Gen. Murray was so well pleased with them that he would 
not let them return, but kept them to pilot the army, giving them 
four guineas extra pay. 

A few days later the army was in motion up the river to join 
Amherst; and they had the satisfaction of being present at 
Montreal, Sept. 8, 1760, when the domain of New France was 
surrendered to the English. 

Capt. Eastman married Elizabeth Jackman, daughter of George 
Jackman [see Genealogy]. He moved to Concord probably in 
1769, as he was a voter in Boscawen in 1768 ; but his name does 
not appear at a later daj^ upon the records. He was a man of 
decided character and energ)-, capable of enduring great liard- 
ships, and an esteemed citizen in both towns. He died in 1815, 
at the age of 95. 

FARMER, JOHN. 

Col. John Farmer was born in Billerica, Mass., December, 1791 
[see Genealogy], moved to Boscawen with his mother about 1810, 
and engaged in farming ; but, being of a mechanical turn of mind, 
he gave his attention to the im2)rovement of mills for the manufac- 
ture of shingles, laths, and clapboards. He invented a simple 
machine for smoothing the side of a block of wood. It was, in 
reality, a planing machine, one of the first ever brought into use. 
He evinced considerable skill in the contriving of implements that 
would save labor on the farm. 

Quite early in life he began the manufacture of lumber, which 
was rafted down the Merrimack to Lowell, and taken to Boston 
through the Middlesex canal. 

He married Sally, daughter of Moses Gerrish, in 1819 [see 
Genealogy]. He had great energy and decision of character, and 
his influence was felt throughout the community for good, and 
more especially after he became a member of the church. 



360 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

He was elected to the legislature in 1828-9, and again in 
1834-5. He was often called iipon to preside in town-meeting. 
He had a quick, judicial, discerning mind, was an early advocate 
of the temj^erance reform, of the anti-slavery movement, and had 
that coolness of judgment that held an even course between both 
radical and conservative parties. He was kind and liberal in all 
his views and acts, giving largely of his means to sustain benevo- 
lent and missionary organizations. He was captain of the light 
infantry, and colonel of the 21st Regiment. 

Through his business operations, which becarae very extensive, 
he was widely known, and no man in the section occupied a more 
favorable position than he for political advancement. He died in 
the full vigor of life, from typhoid fever, July 17, 1836, at the 
age of 45. 

FARMER, MOSES G., PROF. 

Moses Gerrish Farmer, eldest child of Col. John and Sally Ger- 
rish Farmer, was born in Boscawen, N. H., Feb. 9, 1820. In early 
life he attended the district school in that town ; also the academy 
on Boscawen Plain. 

He entered Phillips academy, Andover, Mass., in the autumn 
of 1837. At that time music was with him an all-absorbing pas- 
sion, and other studies were often neglected in consequence of it. 
One day, while seated at the organ when he should have been 
preparing his lessons for the morrow, the door suddenly opened, 
and the calm, stern face of Dr. Taylor Avas before him. "Farmer, 
you are disappointing the best hopes of jour friends," were the 
only words that fell upon the ear of the boy musician, — and the door 
closed between them. Great Avas the influence of those words 
upon the man Avho has ever found in duty his highest pleasure. 

He entered Dartmouth college in 1840, where he remained three 
3'ears, and then Avas obliged to leave on account of ill health. (The 
degree of a. m. Avas conferred upon him ])y the faculty of Dart, 
mouth in 1853.) 

A few months after leaving college, he became preceptor of El- 
liot academy, Me., and was married in that toAvn Dec. 25, 1844, to 
Miss Hannah T., daughter of Richard Shapleigh, of Berwick, Me. 
He remoA-ed immediately to DoA'er, N. H., as he then had charge 
of the Belknap school in that town, Avhere he taught until the 




A/lir±.^ 7 ^4//7T^. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 361 

summer of 1847, when lie turned liis attention wholly to scien- 
tific pursuits, which were much more congenial to his tastes than 
school-teaching. 

During these years he found his recreations in the study of 
music. His fondness for mathematics, together with his love for 
music, made him a thorough harmonist. The following anecdote 
sets forth the versatility of his talents : A church in a neighbor- 
ing town was about to settle a pastor, and the leader of the choir, 
wishing to made the musical service unusually attractive, organ- 
ized an orchestra, with clarinet, flute, violin, and other instruments, 
but had no performer for the double-bass viol. He was informed 
that a gentleman in Dover was an excellent musician, and doubt- 
less would be able to render good service. Upoii visiting Dover, 
the conductor found, to his great gratification, that the musician 
was a fellow-student at Dartmouth, who at once consented to j^lay 
the viol. 

The evening came. INIr. Farmer was late, and only entered the 
orchestra as the opening piece was to be performed. He snapped 
the strings of the instrument to ascertain if it was in tune, and, as 
he drew the bow across them, thus whispered to the conductor : 
" I never played a double-bass in my life." The leader was aston- 
ished at the intelligence. "What are you going to sing?" Mr. F. 
asked. The leader laid the score before him. " I never saw it 
before," he whispered. 

Everything went well till the choir was about half through the 
piece, when choir and audience were startled by a crash, and, to 
their horror, saw that the })ile of books upon which rested the 
score of the violist had tumbled to the floor. Put there was no 
interruption, for his knowlege of harmony enabled him to render 
a fitting accompaniment to the end. 

He began his experiments in electricity in 1845, inventing at 
that time an electro-magnetic engine. In 1846 he constructed a 
small electro-magnetic locomotive, also a small railroad track, and 
exhibited the same in various towns and cities, lecturing upon the 
subject of electro-magnetism and its applications, showing also 
how it could be adapted to the use of torpedoes and sub-marine 
blasting. His first lecture was given in Dover, and one of his 
experiments was made with a miniature shij), placed in a wash- 
bowl of water. The ship was blowai up by electricity, and, com- 



362 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



ing down, stniclc on the top of tlie lecturer's head. This was, 
perliaps, the reason why tlie experiment was never repeated before 
anotlier audience ; hut the circumstance is often recalled now, as 
ships nia_y so quickly he turned into kindling-wood hy the torpe- 
does which he uses at the present day. 

In 1846 he invented the hook or sickle-shaped climber, for the 
use of repairers of telegraph lines in climbing poles, and came near 
losing his life in showing how easy it was to use them ! 

About this time Mr. Farmer made the accjuaintance of Hon. F. 
0. J. Smith, who was then one of tlie most prominent men in all 
telegraphic matters, which finally resulted in Mr. Farmer's leaving 
Dover, in December, 1847, and taking up his residence in South 
Framingham, Mass., where he opened a telegraph office in the de- 
pot, and also had charge of the line between Boston, Worcester, 
and Springfield. While here he tried the experiment of telegraph- 
ing by the use of a current from an induction coil, using a com- 
mon medical machine for tlie purpose. Early in the winter of 
1848, Mr. Smith, president of the Portland line of telegraph, and 
Mr. L. L. Sadler, superintendent of the Boston and New York 
line, were one day talking over the possibilities of the telegraph 
system, and the uses to which it could be applied ; and Mr. Smith 
suggested that an alarm of fire might be given by it, and 
asked, — ''Where is the man who can devise the machinery that 
will be needed to do it?" Mr. Sadler replied, — " I have an opera- 
tor in my employ now, who can do it if anybody can, for he is the 
most ingenious man I ever saw. He is in the Framingham office, 
and his name is Farmer." "I know him," said Mr. Smith; "yes, 
lie can do it, if it can be done." Mr. Farmer's attention was at 
once called to the subject, and he asked for a week in Avhich to 
consider it. At the end of that time he showed them what he had 
done. He took the striking part of an old clock, and invented the 
electrical part necessary to construct a miniature machine, which 
clearly demonstrated the thought in a visible form. This was the 
first machine in the world for giving an alarm of fire by electricity. 
Messrs. Smith and Sadler were perfectly satisfied with it, but 
were too full of care in regard to their telegraph interests to do 
anything further at that time, and the work was not resumed for 
two years. Kot so with Mr. Farmer. If this were sometliing 
that could be done, and the world needed it, the time would come 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 363 

when it could be carried into operation, and he was constantly 
devising ways and means hy which to accomplish it. This was of 
great help to him when he was called to the work in ISal. 

Having conscientious scruples about the work required of him 
on the Lord's day by the New York Telegraph Co., he was re- 
leased from his engagement there. He removed to Salem, Mass., 
July, 1848, and took charge of the telegraph office in that city, 
also of temporary repairs on the line between Boston and New- 
buryport. 

In the autumn of the same year he received an order from the 
city of Boston to construct two small machines for striking alarms 
of fire on church bells, the machines to be made according to the 
2:»lans which he had previously submitted to Mr. Smith. The ma- 
chines were constructed at once by Messrs. Howard & Davis, the 
well knowni clock-makers of Eoxbury, Mass., and were exhibited 
in Boston, December, 1848. One was placed on the top of the 
court-house, and the other in the office of Mr. Sadler, the superin- 
tendent of the New York line of telegraph. These machines 
were connected by a wire, and were operated by a circuit of the 
main New York line, and the bells to Avhich tliey were attached 
were both struck simultaneously by an operator in New York 
city, two hundred and fifty miles away. The experiment was 
perfectly satisfactory to all who witnessed it, and accounts of the 
wonderful event were published in the newspapers at the time. 
Mayor Quincy's term of office expiring soon after, and the next 
maj^or not feeling the necessity of further action on his part, the 
subject was not resumed that year, and Mr. Farmer continued his 
experiments in other directions. 

Soon after this he devised an automatic circuit-closing appara- 
tus, in which the weight of the hand broke the switch branches 
of the main circuit, but this immediately closed itself upon the 
removal of the hand. 

During the year 1849 he contrived an electro-magnetic clock, 
with dead-beat escapement, and wdth continuity-preserving circuit- 
breaker. This clock had only three wdieels, each wheel sixty teeth; 
— the second hand moved each second, the minute hand each min- 
ute, the hour hand each five minutes. This was patented in 1852, 
and one was in use in the fire-alarm office in Boston for several 
years after the introduction of the system into that city. 



364 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

In 1849, Mr. Farmer left the telegraph office in Salem, Mass., 
to oj)en some of the new offices on the Vermont and Boston tele- 
grapli line, commencing svith Manchester, N". H. While there he 
invented the open-circuit automatic repeater, as he found some 
such device needful. This line was worked on the Bain, or chem- 
ical system. 

In May, 1S50, he was appointed superintendent of the line from 
Boston to Burlington. During the 3'ear he applied automatic 
repeaters to six or seven intermediate stations, antl the line was 
extended to Ogdensburgh, IST. Y. Wires were also run south to 
Northampton, Mass. 

In February, 1S51, he received a note from Dr. Wm. F. Chan- 
ning, of Boston, of whom he had never heard before, requesting 
an interview, as he desired to use the machines which Mr. Farmer 
had devised and exhibited for giving an alarm of fire by electricity. 
Dr. Channing had published an article upon this subject in 1845, 
although Mr. Farmer had never heard of it, nor had he ever seen 
the Avriter until he met him in his (Mr. Farmer's) office on State 
street. Dr. Channing had constructed no machinery by which his 
idea could be demonstrated, and Mr. Farmer consented to the use 
of the machines which had been exhibited two years before, and 
also promised to assist Dr. Channing in the use of them. 

The experimental trial satisfied the city government of Boston 
of the feasibility of the plan, and an appropriation of $10,000 was 
made to carry it into effect. Mr. Farmer was immediately ap- 
pointed superintendent of the construction, and entered upon his 
duties in Jnly, 1851, resigning his position of superintendent of 
the Vermont line for this purpose. The work was no sooner un- 
dertaken, than he found himself at sea without chart or compass. 
The system, which had looked so beautiful on paper, was only a 
form, which must now be clothed before it could become an obedient 
servant. How to do it engrossed every thought. Theorizing and 
practical work were now found to be two very different things. Ma- 
chinery must be invented at every step. Each bell-tower required 
its peculiar adaptations. The position of the machinery, its size, 
and tlie weight to be attached to it, all had to be taken into ac- 
count. Difficulties met the young inventor at every turn. Means 
applicable to an ordinary telegraph line were of no hel}) here, 
but his absolute faith in final success bridged over every one of 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 365 

the many difficulties, and the work of construction went steadily 
on, until every dollar of the first appropriation had heen ex- 
pended. The fire-alarm committee, never doubting his ability 
to accomplish the work he had undertaken, made another ap- 
propriation, and tlie task before him was pursiied with tlie same 
untiring energy and wonderful fertility of invention, until suc- 
cess was attained. Mr. C. C. Coffin had charge of the men em- 
ployed in its construction. The first trial took place April 28, 
1852, and the first alarm was given by Mr. Coffin in the evening 
of the 29th. 

Daily use of the system brought to light its many defects, 
and for the next three or four years it required on Mr. Farmer's 
part almost sleepless vigilance to overcome the obstacles to 
its complete and triumphant success. During the first fif- 
teen months after it went into operation, he spent forty-three 
nights in the fire-alarm office in Boston, considering it unsafe to 
leave it long enough to return to his home in Salem. Twice he 
was sent for to return by carriage in the night. Once, in a ter- 
rific storm, he found it almost impossible to obtain a horse or 
driver. Being told that the storm was too terrible for man or 
beast to be out in, he simply replied, — " If I am willing to risk my 
life, j^ou certainly ought to be willing to risk one of your horses." 
The request was granted, and he reached his office in Boston past 
midnight to find his worst fears more than realized. Every line 
connected with the main office had been broken by the storm. 
The oj^erators were at their posts of duty, but almost despair- 
ing what to do. If a fire had broken out that night the ^vhole 
city of Boston would have been at the mercy of the flames. 

Strange as it may seem at the present day, the firemen were 
then the bitterest enemies of the system, and they lost no oppor- 
tunity to find fault with it, or to prevent its successful introduc- 
tion. At that time the fire department was a voluntary organiza- 
tion; fire companies were clubs, in some instances political organ- 
izations. False alarms were frequent, as it was very easy to start 
the cr}" of " Fire." The telegraphic system proposed to do away 
with all this, prevent false alarms, and consequently much of 
the excitement : hence the opposition of the firemen. With Mr. 
Farmer, however, there was no such word as fail ; and the labor 
went steadily on. He never laid down his care of it until 1859. 



366 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Then lie felt that it was old enough to be wholly committed to the 
care of others. He generously gave the system to the city, waiv- 
ing all his rights under the patent law. He resigned his position 
of superintendent in August, 1855, but was still in daily com- 
munication with those having charge of it for the next four years, 
and they had the benefit of his skill and experience upon which 
to rely in every emergency. 

This was the fire-alarm telegraph of the past. To-day it is 
in use in almost every large town in the United States and Can- 
ada. If this had been his life work, it would have been worth 
living for ; but it was only the beginning. 

In 1855 he successfully deposited aluminum from its chlo- 
ride solution, which never had been accomplished before. He 
also succeeded in depositing copper in a condition both hard 
and brittle — a great achievement in electro-metallurgy. In 1856 
he commenced the business of electrotyping, and produced the 
first undercut electrotype in this country from a gutta j^ercha 
mold. He also made a sheet of copper one eighth of an inch thick, 
brittle as glass ! This was another wonder in electro-iiietallurgj^ 
In this year he also devoted much attention to electric repeat- 
ers, electric clocks, and printing telegraphs, and constructed for 
the Dudley observatory, at Albany, N. Y., a chronograph and sys- 
tem of electric clocks. He invented, in conjunction with A. F. 
Woodman, a closed circuit-repeater,' which proved to be very 
useful. In 1856 he constructed and sold a great many gyroscopes, 
to one of which he applied an electro-magnetic engine, by which he 
kept it in continual rotation. As early as the year 1852, Mr. 
Farmer's attention was directed to the subject of multiplex teleg- 
raphy. Between this time and 1855, he devised and constructed 
an apparatus by which he was enabled to transmit four messa- 
ges simultaneously over a single wire. In November, 1855, he 
showed to Joseph B. Stearns the apparatus he had then con- 
structed, and explained to him his theorj^ of the manner in which 
this could be accomplished. This was twelve years before Mr. 
Stearns brought out his ap^^aratus known as the " Stearns du- 
plex." About this time Mr. Farmer devised a printing telegraph, 
and was probably the first to make use of what is known as the 
"unison stop." He was also undoubtedly the first to suggest the 
use of the continuity-preserving key in the duplex telegraph. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 367 

This was the earliest form of a duplex which made use of inde- 
pendent current reversals in sending messages. He pei'fected 
double transmitters with reversed currents and constant resist- 
ance ; worked double transmission on a telegraph line between 
Boston and Worcester in 1856, both instruments being in the 
Boston office, and two messages were sent simultaneously in op- 
posite directions. 

In 1852-3, permission was granted to Capt. Cliarles Wilkes, 
U. S. Navy, to use the circuits of the fire-alarm system, to deter- 
mine, experimentally, the velocity of sound. Stations at Charles- 
town Navy Yard, Watertown Arsenal, Salem, Cambridge, South 
Boston, and at Fort Independence were connected with the 
central office in Boston. Mr. Farmer constructed an especial 
chronograpli for this purpose, and many experiments were made, 
the results of which were duly published by Cajjt. Wilkes. 
Previous to this time, at the request of Prof. Bache, of the 
U. S. Coast Surve}^, Mr. Farmer had constructed a short line of 
telegraph, connecting the observatory at Cambridge with the 
New York and Boston line of telegraph. 

In 1852 he devised one or more closed circuit-repeaters ; also 
commenced the construction of apparatus for the simultaneous 
transmission of four messages upon one wire, in the same or op- 
posite directions. In 1852-3 he made many experiments uj)on 
rheostats, voltometers, and magnetometers. In 1853 he received 
a patent on an improved porous cell for galvanic batteries. In 
1854 he experimented largely on magneto-electric machines, and 
deposited copper on several cells in series, and endeavored to 
ascertain the mechanical power required to accomplish it. He 
also employed magneto-electric machines instead of a galvanic 
battery, for the purpose of striking the bells of the fire-alarm tel- 
egraph, and also applied water-power apparatus instead of weights 
to raise the bell-hammers. He contrived and constructed a resist- 
ance coil, with electro-static capacity, produced by winding sheets 
of tin-foil between each layer of wire. In the same year he made 
improvements in diaphragm water-meters. In 1855 he invented 
improvements in fire-alarm signal apparatus, making use of a cur- 
rent in one direction to give one signal, and in the reverse direc- 
tion to give another and different one. The same year he ex- 
perimented on dial telegraphs ; also on telegraphs for double 



368 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 

transmission in the same direction ; made experiments on elec- 
tric signals for railroads ; invented a printing telegraph ; made 
experiments looking to the construction of apparatus whereby 
two operators could send simultaneously, over one wire, from Wash- 
ington to New York, reports in short-hand of congressional 
sjjeeches. In the winter of 1855-6 he made successful experi- 
ments on the electro-deposition of aluminum. 

In the summer of the same year he read a paper on ^Multiplex 
Telegraphy before the American Association for the Advancement 
of Science, and was elected a member at their annual meeting. 

During the winter of 1855-6 he continued his experiments in 
duplex and printing telegraphs. In 1857-8 he made a great 
many experiments with double transmitters. At that time 
he applied for an Englisli patent on a combination of the 
duplex and printer. He also constructed a duplex printing 
telegra^^h, driven by an electro-magnetic motor. In 1858 Mr. 
Farmer devised electro-magnetic apparatus, to show the height 
of water in steam boilers, tanks, reservoirs, «S:c. He also in- 
vented an automatic regulator, for controlling the distribution 
of electricity to numerous electric lamps. During the jeav 1858 
he began . a series of investigations upon the production of 
light by electricity, and invented an automatic regulator, by 
which the light can be kept at a uniform intensity for any 
length of time. During the month of Jul}', 1859, he had one 
of the rooms of his house, in Salem, Mass., lighted every even- 
ing by this subtle agent. The light was very beautiful, and 
attracted a great deal of attention from the many visitors who 
came to see it. The cost of the light was the only hindrance to 
its coming into general use. 

During the years 1860, '61, '62, and '63, he bestowed much at- 
tention upon the manufacture of alloys of aluminum, with copper 
and other metals. One of the alloys produced by him so closely 
reseml)led 18-karat gold, as to deceive any one but an expert. 
Between the years 1864 and 1868 he devoted a good deal of 
time to perfecting a thermo-electric battery, and in 1868 con- 
structed the largest one ever built. This was used for the deposi- 
tion of copper upon steel, in the production of what is known as 
the American compound telegraph wire. This wire was a joint 
invention of himself and Mr. G. F. Millikin, of Boston, Mass. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 369 

Improvements in the manufacture of this wire have now readied 
such a stage, that it can be furnished more cheaply tlian 
an iron wire of equal conductivity. The invention is thus de- 
scribed : "A copper telegraph wire, with a case or covering of 
iron or steel, steel being used for its great tensile strength, and 
copper for its great conductivity.'' 

During the latter part of 18(39, Mr. Farmer was employed to 
examine and report upon the electric condition of the land lines 
and of the cables of the N"ew York, Newfoundland & London Tel- 
egraph Co. ; and, as a result of these investigations, he invented 
a new insulator, of which he furnished over thirty thousand to 
that company, and they have given the highest satisfaction. 

Early in the year 1871, his attention was again turned to the 
improvement of electro-magnetic machines ; and during that and 
the following years he manufactured a large number for depositing 
coi^per and other purposes. He has made many valuable improve- 
ments in the construction of these machines, especially in the one 
contrived for the firing of torpedoes. This invention has been 
adopted by the United States government, and the machines are 
now supplied to every ship in our navy. Some have been sold to 
foreign governments, and doubtless they will soon find their 
way into all navies. They are also used quite extensively for 
blasting, in the mines of Colorado and Nevada. 

In October, 1872, Mr. Farmer accepted the professorship of 
electrical science at the U. S. Naval Torpedo Station, established 
in 1869, at Newport, K. L, for the instruction of the officers of the 
navy in electricity and chemistry, as applied to the arts of war ; 
and since his connection with the department, the station has 
been supplied with the best known magneto-electric machines and 
appliances to be found in this or any other country. 

Doubtless, ere long, an electric light will be furnished to the 
steam marine of the country ; and, without question, there is no 
man in the country, if in the world, who has devoted so many 
years of almost continuous thought to the subject, or who has 
conducted so many experiments, which are now on record, as 
Prof. Farmer. 

The investigations begun in 1858 have never been wholly relin- 
quished. While he has so long and patiently contributed time, 
strength, and brains to this work, he has always taken especial 
24 



370 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

pains to say that his life-long friends, Messrs. Smith and Bates 
of Boston, Mass., have, with the utmost generosity, supplied him 
with most of the means with wliich to carry on his experiments 
in this direction. 

In all of Prof. Farmer's experiments and investigations, the out- 
side world has always been allowed to look on and note what he 
was doing ; but the eyes of the curious have failed to follow him 
since his engagement at the torpedo station, as much of the work 
done there is purposely kept secret ; but enough is seen at the 
annual exhibition of tlie class under instruction to show that he is 
giving the result of his life-work for tlie good of his country. 

His highest ambition has been to bring out and develop all the 
inA^entive talent and genius there is in the officers who are sent 
there from year to year, either as instructors or students, and his 
pride has been to show Avhat they can do, rather than what he 
can do himself. The keenest observer would not discover a spirit 
of jealousy or self-seeking in Prof. Parmer ; and this abnegation 
of self has been one of the charms which have drawn all hearts to 
him during the many eventful years of his life, since it has been 
his privilege to be a benefit to the Avorld through his rare and 
wonderful mechanical gifts, Avhich haA'e always been at the com- 
mand of friend or foe. To the higliest and lowest he is alike 
accessible, and the advice and information, so constantly asked on 
all subjects, is never withheld. His profession requires deep re- 
search and profound thought, and he finds his reward in search- 
ing after hidden things in science, that he may utilize them for 
the good of the hi;man race. 

He stands in the foremost rank of scientific men ; and it may, 
perhaps, be truthfull}^ said, that as an electrician he is without a 
peer on this side of the Atlantic, while among the scientists of Great 
Britain, Prance, and Germany his opinions are quoted as authority. 
His reputation is world-wide, and his inventions everywhere known. 
He is often called as an electrical expert in the United States courts, 
where his statements are never questioned. He has taken out a 
great many different patents, of which the world has now the ben- 
efit. An eminent electrician said of him recently, — "Mr. Parmer has 
undoubtedly done more real and lasting good to the world through 
his abandoned inventions, than through those which he has per- 
fected ; for the former are seed-thoughts scattered over the world, 







Early Home of Prof. M. G. Farmer. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 371 

■wliicli many will gatlior Tip, and from them reap a harvest after 
his life-work is over." As a man and citizen, Prof. Farmer's in- 
fluence has ever been on the side of right. To the poor he has 
been ever a friend ; to the weak, a helper. 

Unlike many scientists of the day, whose speculations lead them 
to doul>t the existence of a Deity, and of a divine revelation, 
Prof. Farmer sees in all the works and laws of nature a divine 
mind. Each new discovery, to him, is one of God's thoughts, and 
with him religion and science go hand in hand. Hence his is a 
Christian .household, and there are few happier homes than his. 
Not many men have done more for the present and future genera- 
tions than Moses Gerrish Farmer. 

FESSENDEN, WILLIAM PITT. 

He was son of Gen. Samuel Fessenden of Portland, Maine, 
and Ruth Greene, of Boscawen, and was born 16 Oct., 1806, in 
the house subsequently owned by Dea. Thomas Gerrish. The 
child was christened after the Episcopal service, Daniel Webster 
being godfather. He graduated from Bowdoin college in 1823, 
with distinguished honors, receiving his degree of A. b. before he 
had attained his seventeenth year. Such precocity has had few 
parallels : one is that of Edward Everett ; another, the great com- 
moner of England for whom he was named — William Pitt. 

During his college days he taught school in Lewiston, Me., 
then a small village, where he employed his winter evenings in 
reading the books in the village library, consisting of about fifty 
volumes, such as Bigland's History of the World, Rollin's Ancient 
History, and Plutarch's Lives. 

Mr. Fessenden studied law with his father and Hon. Charles S. 
Davis, of Portland, and was admitted to the bar at the age of 
twenty-one, opening an office in 1827 at Bridgeton, an insignifi- 
cant town, remaining tliei'e two years, and then moving to Port- 
land, into his father's office. From thence he went to Bangor, 
but returned to Portland and settled permanently in 1832, asso- 
ciating himself with Hon. William Willis. 

He was elected the same year to represent the city in the state 
legislature. He was also offered the Whig nomination to con- 
gress, but declined being a candidate. He was chosen delegate 
to the national convention which nominated Henry Clay. De- 



372 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

dining a reelection to the legislature, he devoted himself wholly 
to his profession from 1832 to 1839, when he was again elected 
to the legislature. He was a Whig, hut the majority of the 
legislature were Democrats ; yet so highly was he esteemed that he 
was made chairman of the judiciary committee. In 1840 he was 
nominated to congress by the Whigs, and was elected, outrun- 
ning the strength of his party. Although he was then but thirty- 
five years of age, he made a very favorable impression by his 
speeches. He declined a renomination in 1843, and returned to 
his profession, receiving the votes of his party for U. S. senator. 
Prom 1845 to 1852 he gave himself wholly to his profession, with 
a constantly extending practice and reputation. During this 
period he attracted great attention by his argument before the 
supreme court at Washington, by which he succeeded in reversing 
a decision by Judge Story. 

In 1840 he was a member of the national convention that nom- 
inated Gen. Harrison for the presidency ; in 1848, a member of 
the convention that nominated Gen. Taylor, in which he support- 
ed the claims of Mr. Webster ; in 1850 he was a candidate for 
congress, but unwillingly. He was believed to be elected, but 
the seat being given to his competitor, he declined to contest it. 
In 1852 he was a member of the convention that nominated 
Gen. Scott ; in 1853 elected to the U. S. senate by one branch 
of the legislature, but a concurrent vote was required, and 
there was no choice. In 1854 he was again elected to the 
legislature, which was Democratic in both branches. The Kan- 
sas-Nebraska question operating as a disturbing element, he was 
elected U. S. senator on the first ballot, by a union of the Whigs 
and Free Soil Democrats. This signalized the formation of the 
Eepublican party in Maine, in which Mr. Fessenden remained 
ever after a leading exponent. 

He took his seat in the senate on the 23d of February, and on 
the night of March 3d made one of the most eloquent and effective 
speeches delivered against the Kansas-Nebraska bill. This effort 
at once made him a leading member of the senate, and his voice 
was heard whenever any important question was in order. He 
introduced the French spoliation bill, opposed a bill for increasing 
the army, discussed the bill for protecting United States officers, 
spoke on our relations with England, Kansas affairs^ on the Iowa 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 373 

senatorial election, etc., etc. He reviewed President Buchanan's 
message on the Kansas question in the most severe manner. 
During this time he was a leading member on the finance com- 
mittee. In 1859 he was elected to the senate for six years, and 
was made chairman of the finance and library committees, and 
regent of the Smithsonian Institute. The year before, Bowdoin 
college conferred on him the degree of ll. d., and Harvard paid 
him the same compliment in 1864. In 1861 he was appointed a 
member of the peace congress which met in ^ebruar3^ 

Throughout tlie war Mr. Fessenden, in his character as senator, 
was a firm friend and ally of the Union cause, giving it the 
assistance of his logic, eloquence, and counsel, and as chairman of 
the finance committee aiding the secretary of the treasury in 
maintaining the national credit. In 1864, on the 30th of June, 
Mr. Chase resigned the secretaryship of the treasury. An instant 
panic ensued, and gold, that subtle index of public feeling, rose 
from 90 premium on June 30th, to 185 premium July 11th. The 
new secretary would be expected to quiet this storm, and Mr. 
Fessenden was chosen by Mr. Lincoln as the new secretary. He 
hesitated to accept, his health was so delicate, and the responsibil- 
ity difficult and overwhelming. Senators and cabinet officers 
urged, however, and he entered on his duties the 5th of July, 
The wliole country looked to him for aid. The paper dollar was 
worth only thirty-four cents. The sale of new loans had been 
provided for, but they found comparatively few purchasers. Ger- 
man}', Holland, and Switzerland were our foreign markets, and 
political bankruptcy seemed at least possible. Mr. Fessenden 
then found it liis duty, and a duty as imperative as it was arduous, 
to raise at once the large sums necessary for carrying on the war, 
and at the same time to enhance the value of the securities already 
afloat. He appealed to the people, and, by withholding any fur- 
ther immediate issue of greenbacks, he induced the banks of the 
country to adopt the national banking system. So successful was 
he, that, on his resigning the secretaryship to take his seat again 
in the senate, to which he had been reelected, on the 4th of 
March, 1865, gold had receded to 99, and on the 11th of May fol- 
lowing it was quoted at 30. While secretary he urged ujDon con- 
gress a more effective system of taxation. 

In the spring of 1868 the trial of President Johnson began. 



374 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Contrary to the hopes of many ardent members of the Republican 
party, Mx-. Fessenden voted against impeachment. He gave his 
reasons clearly and explicitly. A storm of abuse was showered 
upon him, but he braved it all, and before his death regained in a 
great measure the confidence and esteem of those who had been 
most bitter. 

In some resjjects Mr. Fessenden was the foremost senator dur- 
ing his long i^eriod of service. In many critical stages of legisla- 
tion his word was decisive, and few were the measures of con- 
gress which did not bear the marks of his acute intellect and his 
sturdy devotion to public interests. This honorable distinction is 
not due so much to his learning, or to any striking originality of 
genius, as to the singular harmony of his powers for the legisla- 
tive arena. He was equally quick and cool. No assault could 
disturb his equanimity, and his attack was as adroit as vigorous. 
He had a great faculty for condensation, of going straight to 
the point, of using none but the most direct and lucid English. 
When he was transferred to the senate, he was the best follower 
that Webster ever had there in clear and compact statement. But 
what particularly gave force to his words was the high character 
of the man. 

He was long a sufferer from dyspepsia, and for many years 
was an invalid, yet by force of will going on with his work. 
He was of medium height, frail in person, but erect always, 
whether sitting or standing. His clear gray eyes looked out over 
finely drawn features, that seldom changed, even under his most 
fervid oratory. To those who did not know him, he may have 
been classed as stern and unyielding ; but beneath a cold exterior 
a warm heart was beating. 

Once an estrangement occurred between Mr. Fessenden and a 
senator, from words spoken in debate. After a few days of cold- 
ness, the page of the senate laid a note on ]Mr. Fessenden's desk, 
sent by the senator, who said, — " If I have offended j'ou, I ask 
your forgiveness ; if you have offended me, I have forgotten it." 
In an instant Mr. Fessenden was on his feet. He crossed the 
chamber, and with tears in his eyes, reached out his hand to his 
old friend. 

Mr. Fessenden, in debate, once dropped a word which was 
thought to be an insult to Mr. Seward. When informed of it, 




M^ /^. cA/t/Wc.^^^^ • 



HOll. V.ILLIAM PITT FESSENDEN. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



375 



and seeing tliat a wrong construction might be placed upon it, he 
went instantly to Mr. Seward and said, — 

'' Mr. Seward, I have insulted 3'ou. I am sorry for it. I did 
not mean it." 

The apolog)^, so prompt and frank, delighted Mr. Seward, who, 
grasping the offered hand, replied, — 

" God bless you, Fessenden ; I wish you w-ould insult me 
again ! " 

]\Ir. Fessenden was an able debater. — his style clear, forcible, 
concise, direct ; his language simple and natural. There was a 
striking resemblance between him and Hon. William E. Glad- 
stone, of England, — the same methods and manner, force, earnest- 
ness, tenacity of pur})ose, clearness of statement, precision and 
elegance of diction. 

He died suddenly, Sept. 8, 1869, after a week's illness. 

FRENCH, HEXRY S. G., REV., 

Was the son of Mr. Joel French, a trader of Boscawen, with whom 
Daniel Webster boarded a part of the time during his residence 
in Boscawen. He was born in the house now occupied by Mr. 
James Gill, nearly opposite the Congregational meeting-house, 
27 April, 1807. Upon the death of Mr. French, the son became an 
apprentice as printer to George Hough, in Concord. He greatly 
desired to obtain a collegiate education, and by industry and econ- 
omy prepared himself for college, and graduated at Yale in 1833. 
He spent three j^ears in the Andover Theological Seminary, grad- 
uating in 1836. He married Sarah C. Allison, of Concord, and 
sailed to the East Indies as a missionary, preaching at Singapore 
a few months while acquiring the Siamese language. 

He was of slender frame, and unable to withstand the enervat- 
ing influences of a tropical climate. He died at Bangkok, capital 
of Siam, 14 Feb., 1842. [See Gen.] 

FELLOWS, HEZEKIAH. 

He was born in Salisbury, 22 Dec, 1782 ; settled in Boscawen, 
on Corser hill, and with his brother, Moses, engaged in trade, 
doing a large business, for a country store, from 1820 to 1830. 
He was elected town-clerk in 1817, and continued to fill the office 



376 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

to 1855, wlieu, under the general sweep of the '' Know Nothing " 
or Native American party, which had a sudden rise and quick de- 
cline, he failed of an election. He was elected representative with 
Ezekiel Webster in 1820 ; again in 1824 and 1825. 

He was a man of great probity of character. His word was as 
good as his bond. His fellow-citizens trusted him implicitly, nor 
did he ever do an act to forfeit their confidence. He was a jus- 
tice of the peace ; and, in the daj-s when men resorted to litiga- 
tion for settlement of their difficulties, Esquire Fellows was the 
magistrate who would decide without fear or favor to either party, 
but on the merits of the case. 

He dealt honestly with all men. His prices of whatever he 
had for sale were plainly marked on his goods. He had no cypher 
to represent the cost or the price. Be the purchaser the most re- 
spected citizen of the community, or one low down in society, 
there was the same line of conduct. A child would drive just as 
good a bargain as the shrewdest adult. 

He was kind, genial, patient, endowed richly with common- 
sense, and sense that is not always common. When the Congre- 
gational meeting-house was erected in 1823, he presented the 
society- with a large Bible for the pulpit. He was a constant at- 
tendant at church, occupying the pew nearest the pulpit at the 
right hand. 

Prior to 1835, it was the custom of town-clerks to make public 
announcement of those intending marriage, which was done by 
Esquire Fellows upon the pronouncement of the benediction, at 
the close of the afternoon service. The congregation waited to 
hear the " crying," as it was termed, and possilil}' allowed the pub- 
lishing of the bans to usurp the place of the sermon in their minds, 
as they smiled and nodded one to another. 

Esquire Fellows was simple in all his ways. He had many warm 
friends in Boston, Avhich city he used to visit twice a year to pur- 
chase goods, for which he always paid cash [for family, see Gene- 
alogy]. He resided in the house now standing opposite the resi- 
dence of Mrs. Simeon B. Little. He died, 10 Oct., 1861, honored 
and respected by all. 

FELLOWS, MOSES. 

Capt. Moses Fellows, son of Moses Fellows, brother of Hezekiah, 
was born in Salisbury, 26 Jan., 1786. He learned the trade of 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 377 

joiuei", and settled in Boscawen, in the house now the residence 
of Rev. Mr. Buxton, to which he added a second story ahout 
1835 or 1836. He was elected selectman in 1825, '26, "27, '28, 
'29, 30, '31, '33, '35, '37, '39, and without douht would have 
been again and again entrusted with the affairs of the town 
had he not removed to Salisbury. He was elected represent- 
ative an 1832 and 1835, and was repeatedly moderator. He was 
energetic in business, and gave the same fidelity to his public 
duties that he gave to his private interests. He was a superior 
mechanic, and made the model for the covered bridge across the 
Blackwater, now standing. Like his brother, he was endowed 
with that sense which goes b}^ the name of common, but which is 
understood to be superior to the sense of. most men. He was de- 
cided in his convictions of what was right and what was best, nor 
did he ever hesitate to make them known. He was a supporter 
of civil and religious institutions, and his influence was ever on 
the side of right. His removal to Salisbury was felt to be a loss 
to the town. He died in Salisbury, 1864. 

GAGE, WILLIAM H. 

Hon. William Haselton Gage was born in Sanbornton, 21 
March, 1791 ; removed to Boscawen in 1804, and entered the em- 
ploy of Col. Isaac Chandler, on the farm occupying the south- 
eastern corner of the town, which upon the death of Col. Chandler 
came into his jjossession. After remaining with Col. C. four years, 
he returned to his native town, and learned the business of dress- 
ing cloth of Jonathan Chase, returning to Boscawen in 1812, 
where he began the businesses of lumbering, wool-carding, and 
cloth-dressing. These occupations engrossed his attention to 1833. 
The building in which he began business now forms part of the 
'' Harris " manufactory. 

Mr. Gage in his political views differed from a majority of the 
citizens of the town, and though a Democrat, such was his probity, 
so universally was he esteemed, that party lines were forgotten, 
and the man, not the politician, was elected as representative in. 
1833, and again in 1836. He served frequently as selectman, 
was elected road commissioner for the county in 1841-2, and 
a member of the senate in 1846, '47, and '48. 

He was social and kind to all, given to hospitality, and a firm 



378 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



supporter of religious aud educational institutions. Ilis life was 
prolonged to see the little neighborhood, of a few dwellings in 
1804, increase to a thrift_y village. 

His earl_y educational advantages were limited — a want keen- 
ly felt, and which awakened a desire to do what he could to 
promote the education of his children and the community. He 
was active in the establishment of Penacook academy, conveying 
two acres to the institution as a free gift, and contril>uting liber- 
ally towards the erection of the buildings. In this connection, it is 
worthy of notice that Wm. H. Gage and his brother Eichard 
occuj^ied a large property jointly twenty-seven years, and when 
the children of both arrived at manhood, a separation was accom- 
plished in the same spirit in which the brothers had lived quietly 
and satisfactorily. Mr. Gage married Polly, daughter of P>rad- 
bury Morrison, of Sanbornton, 25 Jan., 1814. He died 26 Sept., 
1872. His wife died 15 Feb., 1833 (see Gen.). 

GAGE, ISAAC K. 

Isaac Kimball Gage, son of Wm. H. and Polly (Morrison) Gage, 
was born 27 Oct., 1818, obtained his education at the district 
school and one year at Pranklin and Boscawen academies. In 
1841 he succeeded Jeremiah Kimball as partner in trade with 
Luther G. Johnson, in Fisherville, in the store opposite his present 
residence. He remained in trade till 1850, when, desiring a more 
active and profitable employment, he moved to Lawrence, Mass., 
and entered the service of the Essex Co. In 1852, upon the or- 
ganization of the first city government, he was elected to the com- 
mon council, and in 1853 was president of that body. 

Eetiirning to P)0scawen in 1854, he became one of the firm of 
Gage, Porter & Co., in the manufacture of saws, which has been 
since carried on. He has frequently been chosen to till ofifices in 
town, was treasurer of the New England Agricultural Society 
from 1865 to 1860, was member of the convention to revise the 
constitution in 1876, and is president of the Penacook Savings 
Bank. 

Mr. Gage married Miss Susan Johnson, daughter of Eeuben 
Johnson, 27 Oct., 1842 [see Gen.]. 




Residence of Dea. Thomas Gerrish. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 379 

GERIMSH, THOMAS. 

Dea. Thomas Geu'risli, sou of Col. Henry Gerrish, was born 
12 Se})t., 1786. He married (1) Betsey Gerrish, daughter of Col. 
Joseph Gerrish, his cousin ; (2) Elizabeth Patrick, sister of Rev. 
Wm. Patrick, of Canterbui-y. He settled on Boscawen Plain, 
j)urchasing the estate formerly occu[)ied by Nathaniel Greene, Esq., 
a view of which is given in this volume. He was an admirer of 
horses, especially those adapted to farui work, and had a span so 
well trained that he never tired of them. On Sunday, before the 
meeting-house was repaired, when, at the close of the service, the 
seats went down with a bang, the horses, knowing that they were 
needed, were accustomed to back out of the shed and move to the 
door-step, ready for their kind-hearted master, knowing that oats 
were in waiting at home. When threshing machines came into 
use Dea. Gerrish purchased one, and employed his horses profit- 
ably from August till mid-winter, threshing for the farmers 
throughout the county. 

He was energetic, an early riser, and prompt in all his actions. 
The energy which characterized his daily business was manifest 
in his religious life. He was an earnest Christian, a [)illar in the 
chui-ch, and was deacon for many years. He was kind and 
genial, and was not only honored and respected, but was regarded 
with affection by all who knew him. He was elected representa- 
tive two years [see Officers]. 

During the last j^ears of his life he resided with his son Thomas 
in We])ster. His old age was beautiful, through his resignation, 
hopefulness, and expectation of a better life beyond the present. 
He died 19 Feb., 1875. 

GERKISH, HEXRY, COL. 

Col. Henry Gerrish, the eldest son of Capt. Stephen Gerrish, 
one of the first settlers, was born in Boscawen, 2 IMay, 1742. 
He was active in public affairs tlirough life, possessing all the 
qualities of character to make him a leader in any community, 
and especially in a community like that of Boscawen. 

In 17GG, at the age of tw^enty-four, he was an ensign in the 
militia, and a selectman. He was often elected moderator of 
the town-meetings. He was elected delegate to the first state 



380 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

convention, in 1774 ; again, in 1775, representing Boscawen and 
Salisbury ; again, in 1779 and '80. 

He was a land surveyor, and liis services were called for in 
every direction, not only by the citizens of Boscawen, but of the 
surrounding towns. He was called upon to lay out roads. 
Being a justice of the peace, he was often selected as the fair- 
minded and judicious magistrate and arbiter, to settle the diffi- 
culties between the citizens of the town and county. 

He was captain in the militia at the breaking out of the Revo- 
lution, and marched with the minute-men to Medford, upon the 
receipt of the news of the battle of Lexington. He was lieuten- 
ant-colonel of Stickney's regiment at the time of the Bennington 
campaign, but, having been detailed to other duty, was not in 
the battle. He was present at the surrender of Burgoyne, being 
on the left flank of Burgoyne at Battenkill, where he acted as 
clerk at the sale of some of the plunder taken from the British. 
The mess-book used on that occasion is still in existence. He 
often acted as the town's agent during the Bevolution, perform- 
ing the duties assigned him with the same care and energy that 
characterized the management of his private affairs. 

He lived on Fish street, and was owner of a large tract of land, 
now the county farm. His house stood near the present build- 
ings. He was a blacksmith as well as land-surveyor, and forged 
mill-cranks and made mill-saws in his forge and on a common an- 
vil. He kept a tavern, and his house was known as the Travel- 
lers' Home. Many people, too poor to pay for a bed, passed the 
night under his roof, sleeping on bear-skins before the generous 
fire in the large old-fashioned fireplace in his bar-room. 

It is narrated that the settlers from iSTew Chester (Hill), Bris- 
tol, Bridgewater, and other towns up the Merrimack, when the 
corn-mill at the head of King street was the nearest to their homes, 
were accustomed to leave home in the morning, reach Col. Gerrish's, 
spend the night in his bar-room, purchase a grist, carry it to the 
mill on their backs, get it ground in season to return to the hos- 
pitable home at night, where they would make a Johnny-cake, 
or hasty-pudding, for supj)er and breakfast ; and on the third 
morning, with the bag on their backs, start for their distant 
homes. 

Col. Gerrish became an extensive land-owner. At that time, large 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



381 



tracts of land in the northern part of the state could be had at 
low rates, and he became proprietor of many thousand acres. 

Eev. Mr. Price says of him, that " from early life he was a pro- 
fessor of religion, and uniformly gave his support to religious so- 
ciety. He acquired a great estate, and brought up a large family 
of children, the most of whom he lived to see well settled, and 
whose habits evidenced that his government over them was salu- 
tary ; and his house, though for manj^ years the stranger's home, 
was a house of order." 

GERRISH, FKANK L., 

Only son of Col. Enoch and Miranda (Lawrence) Gerrish, was 
born 19 May, 1855, educated at Phillips academy, Andover, 
Mass., and at the Chandler Scientific School, at Hanover. He 
afterwards served a year in the New Hampshire Savings Bank 
in Concord, and is now preparing himself for agricultural pur- 
suits, to which he is devotedly attached. 

GERRISH, EXOCH, COL., 

Only son of Isaac and Caroline (Lawrence) Gerrish, was born at the 
old homestead, on High street, 28 July, 1822. He obtained his 
education at the academies in Boscawen, Franklin, and Meriden. 
On the death of his father he inherited a large portion of his 
estate, and with it, at the age of twenty, came the care and man- 
agement of an extensive farm. An addition of more than one 
hundred acres made it one of the largest in Merrimack county. 
For twenty years he devoted his time to the cultivation and im- 
provement of his soil, successfully developing its resources by 
raising live stock, hay, and wool, when its heavy growth of wood 
and timber attracted the attention of the lumber manufacturer, 
to whom it was sold in 1865. 

Possessing a love for military parade and drill, he was jjro- 
moted from the lowest rank to that of colonel of the 21st Regi- 
ment N. H. Militia. 

He was often elected to fill the various offices in town, the 
duties of which were well performed. A friend to the church 
where his ancestors worshipped, and to religious institutions gen- 
erallj^, he manifested an interest in all measures that contributed 
to their usefulness. 



382 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

He moved to Concord after tlie sale of liis farm, where his 
sound judgment, particularly in matters of finance, was diily ap- 
jjreciated, as is shown by his appointment as one of the trustees of 
the New Hampshire Savings Bank in Concord, and of the Rolfe 
& Rumford Asylum. 

GERRISH, ISAAC. 

Isaac Gerrish, who resided on the homestead inherited from his 
father, at the foot of Gerrish hill, on High street, was horn 27 
Nov., 1782. By his untiring industry and frugality he from time 
to time added to the old homestead, so that he was the possessor 
of the largest cultivated farm in town, which was devoted to stock- 
raising, and manufacturing hutter and cheese. The products 
of the dairies of Boscawen were well and favorably known in the 
markets of New England. His dwelling and out-huildings were 
burned 1 May, 1824. The same year he built a new set of build- 
ings, which at that time were the largest and most commodious in 
town. His services and advice were frequently sought for in 
making deeds, wills, and other papers, usually executed by a jus- 
tice of the peace. Being a neighbor of Bev. Dr. Wood, his at- 
tachments to him, and the church of which he was pastor, were 
ver}^ strong, and his place at the meetings was seldom vacant. A 
kind neighbor, strongly attached to friends, given to hospitality^ 
his house Avas open ; and the pleasant firesides in the large rooms 
of his dwelling will be long remembered by the many who have 
enjoyed them. He died 22 Aug., 1842. 

GERRISH, ENOCH, MAJ. 

Maj. Enoch Gerrish, third son of Capt. Stephen, one of the first 
settlers, was born in Boscawen 23 Jan., 1750. When eighteen 
years of age he built his log cabin on the east side of the road 
now called High street, where he cleared five acres of land, being 
part of the homestead where he and his posterity have since re- 
sided. Chestnut rails, split by him one hundred and ten years 
ago, are now in a good state of preservation on the farm. Al- 
though his principal occupation was the care and improvement of 
his land, he had a fondness for mechanical labor, and framed 
many of the buildings in town, including the churches. The first 
bridge across the Merrimack, at the Plain, was built by him. He 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 383 

had a love for militaiy parade, as his title indicates. During his 
life, he was chosen to fill the offices of moderator, selectman, and 
representative to the general court. A man strictly religious, he 
joined Dr. Wood's church in 1781, and was elected deacon in 
1783, an office which he held until his death, 1 May, 1821. 

GERRISH, JACOB, 

The fifth son of Col. Henry and Martha (Cloiigh) Gerrish, was 
born at the old homestead on the river road, now the Merrimack 
county almshouse, 10 Nov., 1779. His father was a large land- 
owner, and was able to give to each of his sons, as they became of 
age, a quantity of land suitable for a farm. The portion assigned 
to Jacob is situated just north of the homestead. He married 
Sarah, daughter of David Ames, of Canterbury, 15 April, 1803, 
settled upon his land, and continued the labor of clearing the rich 
intervale, surrounding himself with the comforts of home. The 
farm extended westerly nearly one mile, from the river to the saw- 
mill built by Benjamin and John Kimball, comprising, in addition 
to the intervale, the low lands drained by " Stirrup Iron Brook," 
and the high land beyond known as "light-gains." The intervale 
was covered with a growth of large pine trees, which in clearing 
were rolled into the river to get rid of them. 

On this farm he reared a large famil}'. He subsequently added 
to his estate on the east side of the river, in Northfield and Can- 
terbury, so that he was able to sub-divide and give to each of his 
three sons a valuable farm. On the completion of his new and 
substantial dwelling, now standing near the railroad depot, he 
opened it as a hotel, which he kept for many years. His house 
was often the head-quarters of the lumbermen from the north, 
who were engaged in driving logs down the Merrimack to be 
manufactured into lumber at the mills near the mouth of the Con- 
toocook. He was kind and hospitable to strangers, indulgent to 
his family, a good neighbor, active in sustaining schools and the 
institutions of religion, and ready to aid in every effort to advance 
the prosperity of the town. He died 22 Ma}', 1861. 

GERRISH, MARTHA C, MRS., 

Daughter of Jeremiah Clough, Esq., of Canterbury, N. H., was 
born 10 Nov., 1742. She married Col. Henry Gerrish, of Bos- 



384 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



cawen, 10 Nov., 1763, and was the worthy mother of seven sons 
and four daughters. Tlie united ages of these eleven children 
amount to over 850 years, — average age exceeding 77. 

Her early j'ears were thrilled 
with the events of Indian wars 
and block-house life, the family 
residing for a time in the fort at 
Canterbury, of which her father 
was commander. Endowed with 
a vigorous constitution, and in- 
ured to the privations and hard- 
ships of frontier life, she was a 
pattern of industry and frugal- 
ity, " working willingly with her 
hands." Like the model wife de- 
scribed in Prov. 31, she was also 
skilful and ingenious ; and there 
is now in the possession of one 
of her grand-daughters a skirt 
of home-made cloth, embroidered 
in colors from natural flowers by 
Martha Clough in 1763. In 
those days it often became neces- 
sary for women to assist their 
husbands and brothers on the 
farm. Said one of her sons, — " My mother, when twenty years of 
age, would mow all day in the field, and keep up with the men." 
Another son remembered seeing his father ride on horseback 
three miles to church, with his wife sitting on a pillion behind 
him, each with a child in arms. On showing her profile (see 
engraving) to Dea. Thomas Gerrish, her youngest son, only five 
weeks before his death, he said,—" That looks like my mother's 
face ; " and then added, " I remember of her riding to meeting on 
horseback, while I, a boy of fifteen, sat on behind." Mrs. Ger- 
rish died 15 Oct., 1826. 

GREENE, NATHANIEL. 

Nathaniel Greene was born in Boscawen, 20 May, 1797. He 
was christened Peter; but having great respect for the mem- 




BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 385 

ory of his father, by permission of the legislature of Massachu- 
setts he took the name of ISTathaniel. 

Educational advantages at the beginning of the century were 
limited to eight or ten weeks of schooling in winter, and a term 
of about the same length in summer. Two of his teachers were, — 
Miss Lucy Hartwell, who afterwards became the wife of Col. 
Timothy Dix, and Rev. Henry Coleman, then a young man, who 
subsequently was a minister in Salem, Mass., and who distin- 
guished himself as a writer on agricultural subjects. One of Mr. 
Greene's schoolmates was John Adams Dix. Together they 
stood Avith their toes to a crack in the floor, their spelling-books 
in their hands, and made their " manners " when Lucy Hartwell 
said, " Attention ! " 

At the age of ten he went to Hopkinton, and became a clerk in 
a store. While there he had some three months' additional school- 
ing. 

The death of his father when he was but eleven years of age, 
leaving an embarrassed estate, compelled him to begin the strug- 
gle of life under adverse circumstances. He was a great reader, 
and devoured all books that came in his way, and which he could 
find time to read. By chance he read a memoir of Franklin, 
which awakened in him a desire to be a printer, and especially to 
become an editor. The idea took complete possession of his 
youthful mind. He thought of it by day, and dreamed of it by 
night. 

At this time — 1809 — a new paper made its appearance in Con- 
cord — the Neio Hampshire Patriot, established by Isaac Hill. 
On the 4th of July he walked from Hopkinton to Concord, and 
offered himself to Mr. Hill as an apprentice, and took his place at 
the case. That, however, was not the end of his ambition, but 
only the beginning. It was not to give other men's thoughts to 
the world, but his own. 

Having left Mr. Hill, he became connected in 1S12 witli the 
Concord Gazette, published by Jesse Tuttle. This was the be- 
ginning of his editorial career. The newspaper at that time usu- 
ally contained a ponderous article on some j)olitical topic, the 
latest news from Europe, the victories of the French armies or of 
the Prussians, but very little local information. There were no 
reports of meetings, no gathering up of home incidents. The 
25 



386 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

paper was issued weekly, and there was abundant time for an edi- 
tor to prepare liis thunderbolt to launch at the opposing political 
party. 

In 1814 Mr. Greene moved to Portsmouth, and became con- 
nected with the Nem Hampshire War Journal, published by 
Beck & Foster. He remained there onl}^ a year, when he removed 
to Haverhill, Mass., and became connected with the Haverhill 
Gazette, published by Burrell «& Tileston. In this situation, 
although but eighteen years of age, he had the sole editorial su- 
pervision of the paper. 

In 1817, at the age of twenty, he became his own publisher, 
and started the Essex Patriot. The vigor and energy of his 
writing had already attracted the attention of the public, and he 
was invited by some of the Democratic Republican politicians to 
start a paper in Boston ; and, complying with the request, he issued, 
on 6 Feb., 1821, the first number of the Boston Statesman, a weekly, 
still in existence. At that time there was a triangular contest for 
the presidency, and the Statesman advocated the election of W. 
H. Crawford ; but the result of the election — the elevation of John 
Quincy Adams to the presidential chair — and the great and in- 
creasing popularity of Gen. Jackson, made it apparent to the 
far-seeing young editor that the succeeding election would bring 
Gen. Jackson prominently before the public. Mr. Greene labored 
earnestly to bring about the nomination and election of the hero 
of New Orleans ; and the triumph of the party, in 1828, paved 
the way for Mr. Greene's future political success. 

He was appointed post-master of Boston in 1829, and occupied 
that official position until the accession of Gen. Harrison to the 
presidency, when he was succeeded by Mr. George Wm. Gordon; 
and although this was one of the first public removals of the new 
administration, yet one of the last measures of President Tyler 
was to reinstate Mr. Greene in the same office, which he occupied 
until after the election of Zachary Taylor, in 1849. Mr. Greene 
had the reputation of conducting this department to the entire ap- 
proval of the national executive, and, by his urbane and concilia- 
tory deportment, to the satisfaction of the public in Boston. 

While thus absorbed in official and editorial duties, he found 
time to acquire the French, Italian, and German languages. The 
French was taken up without much difficulty, as was also the 




^^^ 



y^'C^yi^^, 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 387 

Italian ; and in a few weelcs he was able to read tliem. He pub- 
lished, in 1836, a history of Italy, translated by himself from the 
Italian ; and subsequently, as a birth-day present to his niece, 
he translated Undine from the German into the Italian. This 
work Avas read by Signor Monte, at that time jjrofessor of 
Italian at Harvard college, who pronounced it admirably done, 
and requiring very little alteration to be ready for publication. 

In 1836, at the suggestion of a friend, he began German, 
purchasing a dictionary, a grammar, and a set of Van der Velde's 
works. Taking them home, he sat down in the evening, and be- 
gan with the title-page. The first word was "c^te," which, on 
referring to the dictionary, he found to be the definite article 
"the." He wrote down the word, and went on to the next, which 
was "iciecler taufer.'''' He turned to the dictionary, but could 
not find it. Hecollecting that many words in German are com- 
pounds, he looked for ^'wieder,^'' and found that it meant ''again." 
Then looking for " tanfer,^^ he found that it meant " baptiser ; " 
and said to himself that '^ loieder taufer" must mean the re-bap- 
tiser, or Anabaptist. This was the title-page. He thus began 
with the first sentence of the text, and before retiring to rest 
completed the first period of a line and a half. 

This was about Christmas time. Every evening during the 
Avinter he went on with his translation, and about the first of May 
following published the results of his labor in two duodecimo vol- 
umes, entitled " Tales from the German." He translated about 
fifty volumes, many of which have been published. Such literary 
perseverance has few parallels. 

Mr. Greene had a fine poetic fanc3\ Many of his contributions 
have been given to the public over the signature of " Boscawen," 
choosing the place of his birth as his nom deplume. His stanzas 
entitled "Petrarch and Laura," published in \\i& Boston Tran- 
script, are marked by smoothness of rh}' thm and delicate sen- 
timent : 

TETRARCII AXD LAURA. 

Oh! deem not Petrarch all iinblest, 

In that he Laura never knew; 
That no fond word liis ear caressed, 

In fair return for love so true ; 
That no response he ever heard 

To lays in which his love was told 
In sweeter strains than love's own bird 

In grove or forest ever trolled. 



388 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Though Laura might disdain to liear 

Tlie music from his heart-strings wrung, 
Tliose strains now reach the listening ear 

In every land and every tongue. 
Though made the subject of her scorn, 

From which in life he suffered long, 
Thei-e's many a maiden, then unborn, 

Who since hath loved him for his song. 

Not unrewarded nor unblest 

The sorrows he in song deplored ; 
His sonnets oft relieved the breast 

From which the strains divine were poured. 
They won for him undying fame, 

Which brightens with the lapse of time, 
And eternized fair Laura's name. 

Embalmed in "choice Italian" rhyme. 

After retiring from public life, Mr. Greene spent a long period 
abroad, travelling through Europe. While in Paris, in 1852, he 
received intelligence of the death of a beloved daughter, who died 
at Panama, while on her way to San Francisco to establish a 
Home of the Sisters of Charit}', to which order she had liecome at- 
tached. The father's heart, wrung with grief, found expression 
in the appended feeling tribute to her memory : 

TO MY DAUGHTER IX HEAVEN. 

I had on e.irth but only thee ; 
Thy love was all the world to me ; 
And thou hast sought the silent shore 
Where I had thought to go before ! 

Away from thee, in sad exile, 
My lips had long unlearned to smile ; 
Bright wit might flash, red wine might pour, 
But I, alas ! could smile no more ! 

Thy death in these my fading ye.ars, 
Hath sealed and seared the fount of tears ; 
My heart may bleed at every pore, 
But I, alas ! can weep no more ! 

Ah! how thy loss my soul doth rend, 
My only daughter, sister, friend ! 
Of thee bereft, all joy is o'er. 
And I, on earth, can hope no more. 

But in those realms beyond the sun. 
In that bright heaven thy faith hath won, 
W^here thou and kindred spirits reign. 
There haply shall we meet again. 
Paris, Sept, 20th, 1852. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 389 

Mr. Greene married Miss Susan, daughter of Kev. Wm. Batch- 
elder, of Haverhill, Mass. His son, Wm. B. Greene, was edu- 
cated at West Point, and served as lieutenant in the U. S. Army ; 
hut resigning his commission he entered the ministry, and settled 
in Brookfield, Mass. He married a daughter of Rohert G. Shaw, 
Esq., of Boston. At the breaking out of the Eebellion he was 
living abroad. At the news of the attack upon Fort Sumter he 
hastened home, and offered his services to the government. He 
was appointed colonel of the 14th Mass. Volunteers, which he 
ably drilled as a heavy artillery regiment, and commanded the 
line of fortifications on the Potomac, serving with distinction. 

Mr. JSTathaniel Greene died 29 Nov., 1877, at the age of eighty 
years and live months. From among many of the obituary 
notices of him we quote the following : " Another of Boston's 
old and distinguished citizens has been added to the vanished 
throng. Few names have been more closely identified with the 
life and interests of this city than that of Nathaniel Greene. He 
was eminently a successful man. He handled the elements that 
lay before him with judgment and with vigor. For half a cen- 
tury his career was one of great activity, and it yielded results 
upon which he might well pride himself. He was a controlling 
spirit, a progressive force, in those circles wherein he moved, and 
his name will be remembered as long as the events of the Boston 
of this nineteenth century are written about or spoken of." 

. GREEXE, CHARLES GORDOX, COL., 

The youngest son of Nathaniel Greene, Esq., Avas born in Bos- 
caweu July 1, 1804. His opportunities for obtaining an early edu- 
cation were as limited as his brother's. In 1811 he accompanied 
his parents to Virginia. In the succeeding year, his father hav- 
ing died, his mother, bearing a double burden of sorrow — her 
bereavement and an embarrassed estate — returned to New Hamp- 
shire. Three years passed, when Nathaniel, having become con- 
nected with the Haverliill Gazette, took charge of his younger 
brother, and placed him in the Bradford academy. His preceptor 
was the famous Benjamin Greenleaf, who has been characterized 
by Horace IMann as " a huge crystallization of mathematics." In 
1817, when his brother established the Essex Patriot, Charles, at 
the age of thirteen, began to learn the art of printing; and sub- 



390 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

sequently he served one year in the office of Mr. Lamson, at Exe- 
ter. In 1822 he went to Boston (to which city his brother had 
removed and was pnblisliing the Boston /Statesman) and was em- 
ployed in this establishment until 1825, when lie settled at Taun- 
ton, and published The Free Press one year, upon contract, 
and upon which he began his editorial career, at the early age of 
twenty-one. 

Upon the closing of his contract he returned to Boston, and 
published The Spectator, a literary journal edited by Charles At- 
wood, Esq. But the Spectator, after a brief independent exist- 
ence, was united with another publication, and Mr. Greene was 
again engaged upon the Statestnan, but only for a short time, for 
in 1827 he became a partner with James A. Jones, of Philadel- 
phia, in the puljlication of the National Palladium of that city, 
the first daily paper published in Pennsylvania, advocating the 
election of Andrew Jackson to the presidency. When he with- 
drew from that jiaper, in December, 1827, the United States 
Gazette remarked of him that he was " an able champion of his 
party, greatly endeared by his conciliatory and imoljtrusive de- 
portment." The warmth of his zeal in favor of the election of 
Andrew Jackson to the presidency is evinced in this glowing and 
eloquent passage from an oration delivered 4 July, 1831 : " His 
race is run out. Not a drop of his blood will be left flowing when 
he is gone ; not a lip to sa}^, ' I glory in his memory, for he was 
my kinsman.' Is it not, my friends, — is it not a spectacle to 
move and toucli the very soul ? If there be moral sublimity in 
anything, it is in unmingled self-devotion to one's country ; and 
what but this could have arrested, on the very threshold of the 
tomb, the feet of him who, though he turns to bless his country at 
her call, sees no child nor relative leaning forward to catch the 
mantle of his glorj-." 

In 1828 Mr. Greene was engaged in the office of the United 
States Telegraph at Washington, owned and conducted by Gen. 
Duff Green, where he remained until after the election of Gen. 
Jackson to the presidency. Keturning to Boston, he succeeded 
his brother Nathaniel as joint proprietor and publisher with 
Benjamin True of the Statesman. The latter's interest he pur- 
chased in a few years, and he became sole owner ; and on 9 No- 
vember, 1831, the Boston Morning Post made its appearance from 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



391 



the office of the /Statesman, published and edited by Mr. Greene. 
It was a small sheet of sixteen columns, but quite as large as the 
times warranted. Mr. Greene labored with untiring diligence to 
make the paper worthy of public confidence. His editorials were 
sharp and incisive, but at the same time there was a geniality and 
courtesy which won the respect and esteem of political opponents. 
It was the period of the first secession manifestation, when Hayne 
and Webster were the gladiators in the senate of the United 
States. The Post sustained the administration, pronouncing 
against the new doctrine of state rights as set forth bj^ the 
South Carolina school of politicians. It soon became the leading 
Democratic journal of New England. It was an authorit}^, and 
its voice was potent in the party, and by its generous spirit 
became a powerful influence over young men. The T'ost was 
famous for its effective witticisms. " We have seen the puns of 
this daily as sensibly affect the risibles of the sedate old man of 
eighty as they do the merry j^ouths of sixteen," says Mr. Loring, 
in " The Hundred Boston Orators." On the occurrence of its for- 
tieth birth-day the colonel thus happily spolce of it : " Forty years 
ago to-day the Boston I*ost shed its first effulgence upon an ad- 
miring world, dispelling the darkness thereof, and diffusing joy 
among all people of the American species. From 9 ISTovember, 
1851, to this morning, it has risen with the sun each week day, 
giving light, warmth, and comfort to all ready to receive its bless- 
ings. It is not for us, who acted as accoucheur at its birth, to 
boast of the promise it gave at its first breath, or of its sturdy 
youth, or of the power and activity of its present manhood. All 
these pleasant little matters of fact will be freely admitted by 
generous contemporaries, with whom it has fought and shaken 
hands hundreds of times ; and after contests of two-score years, it 
can truly say it harbors no unkind thought towards one of them." 
The Democratic party in the state and in Boston was in the 
minority, but Col. Greene was so much esteemed by men of all 
parties that he was elected representative to the Massachusetts 
legislature, and in 1848 was an aid to Gov. Morton, on account of 
which position he received his title of "Colonel." Upon the acces- 
sion of President Pierce, Col. Greene was appointed naval officer, 
which position he held for eight years. Upon his retirement it was 
said of him that he had " discharojed the duties of the office with 



3.92 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

admirable efficienc}^ and promptitude, — tlaougli quietly, unostenta- 
tiously, and without j)olitical proscription." His i^olitical associates 
often selected him as their candidate for mayor and member of con- 
gress. He was frequently mentioned for other positions, such as 
postmaster-general, minister abroad, &c. Upon the breaking out 
of the Eebellion, he took the side of the loyal states with all his 
heart. Though the editorial pen often criticised the conduct of the 
Avar and the methods of the administration, Col. Greene stood un- 
flinchingl}' for the union of the states and the crushing out of 
secession. At various meetings held in Boston, in 1862, to take 
action in regard to the call of the President for troops, Col. Greene 
made many 2)<itriotic and eloquent speeches in favor of promptly 
responding to the call, and exerted himself zealously in favor of 
enlistments. He was chairman of the general committee which 
held its sessions on the Common, in 1862, to ^^romote recruiting : 
and his substantial aid to wounded soldiers and their families, un- 
ostentatiously administered, brought comfort to many of our brave 
men. The following extract from a letter written by Mr. Greene to 
a New York committee, in 1861, inviting him to be present at a so- 
cial meeting, will serve to show his sentiments : "The rebellion of 
the Southern states was totally unjustifiable ; it is a deep sin, which 
can only be expiated by suffering and repentance ; but the disre- 
gard of the provisions of the constitution, by those placed in pow- 
er as its servants and its guardians, is as fatal to its perpetuity as 
the enmity of its armed repv;diators. In such an alarming com- 
plication of political affairs, the salvation of the country would 
seem to depend upon the conduct of those Avho have resolved to 
resist both extremes, — enamel}', those men whose madness has 
arrayed them in rebellion against a benign government, and those 
Avhose sordid and wicked ambition has led them into transgressions 
and usurpations hardly surpassed by undisguised treason." And 
again, at a banquet given in honor of Capt. Winslow, of the 
immortal Kearsarge, Col. Greene, in response to a call from the 
president, said, — " No man, no class of men, can monojjolize the 
starry flag of the Union : it is the nation's banner, the emblem of 
a nation of freemen ; — its triumphs are national glory. It is meet, 
therefore, that Ave express our thanks in gloAving Avords to those 
who beneath its folds contribute to the treasury of our common 
honor. In the present festivities may we forget the family jars 




^"-^::s^ 




AcO-^n^je^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 393 

just passed, and, like a band of brothers, only see in the event we 
now celebrate, new lustre and iuci'eased strength given to our 
father's house, — the great temple of liberty erected by their 
valor, cemented with their blood, and preserved by the bravery 
of their children. Would to heaven, sir, that the echoes of the 
applause we now offer for gallant deeds were for such a victory as 
would draw cheering responses from each of the thirty-five states 
of this great country ; that no pang should agonize one American 
heart ; that the blow struck was like unto that which taught a 
foreign foe ' the might that slumbers in a freeman's arm.' But, 
unhappily, — most unhappily, — such is not the case. The present 
necessity for spreading death over sea and land is an aAvful, a 
lamentable one, — a necessity that has arrayed in terrible combat 
one portion of our house against another portion ; but, like the 
Eoman father, the government, while it administers justice with 
throbbing heart and weeping eyes, cannot withhold chastisement. 
Its integrity must be vindicated, its authority must be sustained, 
its constitution must be i^erpetuated, and the union of the states 
must be reestablished, at whatever cost. Therefore, sir, I offer 
as a toast, 'The JSTavy and Army of the United States. May the 
one drive piracy from the water, and the other treason from the 
land.' " 

On the 24th of October, 1827, Col. Greene was married to Miss 
Charlotte E., daughter of Capt. Samuel Hill, of Boston, a lady of 
fine education and talents, whose prose and poetical contributions 
have often adorned the columns of the Post, and who, in the ear- 
lier days of that publication, wrote many of the book reviews, 
— thereby saving for the home library valuable works from the 
desecrating scissors and pencils of less careful reviewers. Their 
family consisted of six children, three of whom now survive, all 
having inherited a share of their parents' literary ability. Charles, 
the eldest son, has contributed many valuable articles to Sears's 
Quarterly lievieio, besides letters and shorter articles to various 
periodicals and newspapers, which have been highly commended 
by those competent to judge of such matters. Nathaniel, the sec- 
ond son, ably assisted his father for more than a dozen years as 
managing editor of the Post, and during an extended foreign tour, 
under the nom de jylume of "Flaneur," wrote a series of most 
amusing and instructive letters to that paper. 



89-i BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Col. Greene's popularity in a social way is illustrated Ity the 
following extract from the Boston Journal, 21 June, 1875 : 

"a well deservkd compliment. 

" The parlors of the Central Club on Saturday evening last were the 
scene of a little incident .so agreeable to all who participated, that we 
may be pardoned for making a public record of the pleasant occasion. 
Among the original members of the club, Col. Chas. G. Greene, editor 
of the Boston Po.si, was enrolled. lie accepted the position of vice- 
president at the first organization, declining of late years to hold any 
office, though continuing one of its most interested members. His 
genial presence and fund of pleasant reminiscences contribute so fre- 
quently to the pleasure of a chance hour passed beneath its roof that 
many of his associates desired to make some permanent recognition of 
their regard. An excellent photograph of Col. Greene was reproduced 
in crayon, and hung upon the walls. 

"At the quarterly meeting held on Saturday evening, the donors pre- 
sented the admirable portrait to the club. The president, in acknowl- 
edging the receipt of the communication, alluded in pleasant terms to 
the gratification which the club must feel in receiving a gift so accepta- 
ble to all, and, with many pleasant allusions to the past, introduced Col. 
Greene, who was not aware of the delicate compliment which had be^en 
paid to him. Tlis remarks we cannot reproduce, but this testimonial 
of regard drew from him a speecli replete with kindly sentiment most 
eloquently expressed. The club has honored itself in honoring one 
whose absence in every social circle is a loss, and whose presence pro- 
motes good fellowship and kindly regard." 

Col. Greene is esteemed as much for candor as for affability. 
The Honorable David Henshaw said of him, — "He is the self- 
made, self-taught man, — the energetic and polished writer ; he 
shows the superiority of real worth over fictitious greatness.'"' 
" His name," said a contemporary, " is a sj^ionj'm for all that is 
deemed estimable in a private citizen or politician ; his ability is 
unquestioned ; he has never forgotten the dignity of his profes- 
sion ; has always known where he stood, always manfully main- 
tained what he believed to be right, and never smirched his fair 
fame by having to do with tricksters and jobbers. No editor in 
the country stands higher as a gentleman than Charles Gordon 
Greene." 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 395 

GREENOUGH, JOHN. 

John Greenougli, Esq., eldest son of Ebenezer and Mary 
(Elagg) Greenough, was born in Haverliill, Mass., 5 April, 1780. 
His father moved to Canterl:)nr3' in 1793, and commenced trade 
there, emplojdng his son Jolm as clerk. Two j^ears later, at the 
age of sixteen, he purchased the business, and carried it on success- 
fully from that time. Success from so early an age was due to 
his ability, promptness, and systematic habits. In ISOo he mar- 
ried aSTanc}', daughter of Hon. Abiel Foster, of Canterbury. Their 
children were one daughter and five sons. She died in 1819. 
In 1814 he removed to Boscawen, having purchased the house 
and store previously owned and occupied by Col. Timothy Dix. 
His business requiring larger accommodation, in 1818 he built 
the brick store now standing, locating it a short distance north of 
his residence. In this store he continued business during the re- 
mainder of his life. His second wife was Mary Bridge, daughter 
of Samuel Bridge, Esq., of Billerica, Mass. Their children were 
three daughters and one son. In early life he connected himself 
with the Congregational church, and was always a willing and 
generous supporter of benevolent and religious institutions. He 
was ever interested in education. He did much towards building 
the academy on the Plain, and sustaining it. He was one of the 
original trustees, — an office which he held through life, — and 
most of the time was chairman of the board. His public spirit 
and sound judgment made him j)rominent in town affairs. He 
held the office of justice of the jjeace, was several times represent- 
ative in the legislature of his state, and he was often consulted in 
legal matters and called upon to draw up legal instruments. He 
always took an interest in everything tending to advance the 
prosperity of Boscawen, and was ever ready to help, by counsel 
or pecuniary aid, those who were trying to help themselves. He 
died at the age of 82 j^ears, retaining to the close of life his men- 
tal and ph3^sical faculties. 

JACKMAX, CALEB, 

Was born 5 July, 1794, and resided in Boscawen until 1845, 
when he removed to Canterburj^, and in 1850 to Concord. He 
was married to Martha Burpee, daughter of Kathaniel Burpee, 



396 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

who, after being a most faithful and devoted wife and mother 
for fifty-four years, was, at tlae age of 75, called to her rest. 
He had one son and one daughter, — Enoch and Emily. He was 
engaged in the business of farming, which he followed with 
marked activity and energy to an advanced age. The vigor of 
his constitution was not impaired by the use of tea, coffee, or any 
other warm drink, and at the age of nearly 84 years he had not 
been confined to liis room, for a whole day. at any one time in his 
life. 

His bvotliers were, — Moses, David, John, and Enoch ; and his 
sisters, — liuth, Sarah, and Martha. His fatlier, Moses Jackman 
(taken captive by the Indians), was son of Richard Jackman, a 
first proprietor, from Newbury, and married Martha Morse, 
daugliter of Moses Morse, also a first proprietor, from Newbury. 

KILBUKX, ELIPHALET, DEA. 

He was born in Rowley. In 1775, on the 19th of April, he 
started for Lexington, and enlisted for eight months in Capt. 
Jacob Gerrish's company, which was quartered at Cambridge, 
Col. Moses Little's regiment, and was at Charlestown Neck at 
the time of the battle of Bunker Hill. 

He reenlisted in the same company and under the same colonel 
in 1776; was stationed at Cambridge when the British evacuated 
Boston. He hired a man to take his place in the ranks, while he 
went home to Howley. 

He enlisted in the northern army the same year for six months, 
in Capt. Wm. Rogers's company. Col. Wigglesworth's regiment, 
Gen. Bricket's brigade, and proceeded to Ticonderoga. 

In 1777 he enlisted as sergeant in Capt. Benjamin Adams's 
company, Col. Johnson's regiment, for six months. He was at 
Mount Independence, opposite Ticonderoga. At Saratoga the 
regiment was placed in Boor's brigade. He was in the battle of 
the 19th of August and 9th of October, and at the surrender of 
Burgoyne. He was honorably discharged upon the expiration of 
his enlistment. 

In 1778 he enlisted for six months as sergeant in Capt. Enos's 

companj'. Col. 's regiment, and was under Gens. Sullivan 

and Lafayette at Rhode Island — a liard and hazardous campaign. 

In 1779 he enlisted for four months as sergeant in Capt. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 397 

Stephen Jenkins's company, Col. J. Gerrish's regiment, a.nd 
marched to Greenbush, iST. Y., bnt was discliarged. with the regi- 
ment after about two months' service. His entire term of active 
service was about thirty mouths, most of the time as sergeant. 

KILBURX, JR., ELIPHALET, 

Was born in 1804, and resided through life upon the homestead, 
near Bhickwater river. He enjoyed no educational privileges 
other than those of the district school, but ever made most of his 
opportunities for acquiring information. He Avas large-hearted, 
liberal in his ideas, and enthusiastic in his support of everything 
in which his sympathies were enlisted. He was foremost in ad- 
vocating temperance and anti-slavery reforms, and was ever a 
friend to the needy, exemplifying in every station to which he 
was called those virtues which go to make up the earnest Chris- 
tian, the active citizen, and the honest man. 

KILBURX, EXOCH. 

Enoch Kilburn and his twin sister Hannah were born in 1786, 
children of Dea. Eliphalet and Mary (Thorla) Kilburn. He had 
few advantages for obtaining an education. He married (1) 
Elizabeth Morse, of Boscawen, (2) Elizabeth Cogswell, of Derry, 
and settled on Battle street, in a house which was torn down 
in 1875. Upon the removal of Henrj- Little to Illinois in 1835, 
lie purchased the farm then owned by him, now owned by Capt. 
William George ; from thence he removed to Andover, where he 
resided the remainder of his life. 

He earl}^ engaged in the business of drover, purchasing cattle 
and sheep in the vicinity, eventually extending his operations to 
the northern section of the state and to Vermont, selling his 
flocks and herds in Brighton. He conducted his business on 
an extensive scale, and became familiarly known to a very large 
number of people. He possessed a remarkable memory, and 
through life remembered minute transactions that had taken 
place, — even the weight, appearance, color, and shape of oxen 
which he had sold years previous. This faculty of memory 
enabled him to keep in mind from month to month the cattle 
that would be ready for market, and their probable weight and 
condition. 



398 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

The business of drover was not what the raih-oad now makes it, 
hut was a tedious journej" of two weeks from Grafton county to 
Brighton. Through cold and lieat, sunshine and storm, lie fol- 
lowed his business. No "falling market" disturbed him. If he 
met with loss it was but a stimulant to induce him to retrieve 
his fortunes, his sanguine temperament ever leading him on. 

He was an earnest supporter of religious institutions, a member 
of the church, and earnest and zealous in his advocacy of what he 
believed to be right. He was genial, kind, benevolent, and hon- 
est, and would suffer wrong rather than do wrong. He died in 
1876. [See Gen.] 

KIMBALL, PETER, CAPT. 

Capt. Peter Kimball moved from Bradford, Mass., aboiit 1765, 
and settled on Queen street. He was a man of strong character. 
Rev. Mr. Price says of him, — " Possessing great self-command, a 
sound judgment, and unwavering integrity, he soon came into 
public notice, and was elected selectman in 1768, in which office 
he served nine years. In our Revolutionary struggle he mani- 
fested a truly patriotic spirit, readily accepted those appointments 
with others which involved the dearest interests of individuals 
and of the public. He contributed to the security of our inde- 
pendence, not merely by his assiduous services at home, but en- 
dured the privations of four campaigns in defence of his country. 
In one of them he volunteered as a private soldier ; but in the 
other three he bore a captain's commission, and at Bennington 
received a wound at the head of his company — a precious memen- 
to of that signal battle. Caj)t. Kimball Avas a valuable citizen, a 
much esteemed neighbor, and consistent man." 

The diary kept by Capt. Kimball in the campaign of 1776, and 
at Bennington, is given in the body of this volume, in connection 
with the events of the Revolution, from which it will be seen that 
he was a prompt, efficient, and brave soldier. He barely men- 
tions that he was wounded in the battle of Bennington, — leaving 
it to others to speak of his bravery. 

He moved from Queen to Water street after the Revolution, 
and continued till his death, at the age of 72, a useful and hon- 
ored citizen. It may be said that Capt. Peter Kimball and Col. 
IJenry Gerrish were leading spirits in the town during the Revo- 




.^ish- 




BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 399 

lutionary period. Both were military officers ; and the prompt- 
ness Avith which tliey ordered out their commands when called 
upon, attests their efficiency. 

KIMBALL, BENJAMIN T. 

The youngest son of Capt. Peter Kimball, — Benjamin Thurston 
Kimball, — was born in Boscawen, 4 May, 1784. He had no op- 
portunity for education except the meagre instruction of the dis- 
trict school. He resided on the homestead where he was born, 
and built the house now occupied hy Mr. Wade. He was an in- 
fluential citizen, and a member of the Congregational church and 
society. He was an early advocate of anti-slavery, and cast his 
influence and his vote in its behalf. He longed for the day when 
the slave would be a freeman, — a consummation he was not per- 
mitted to see. He died 9 July, 1852. He was hospitable, kind 
to the poor, and charitable to those who differed from him in 
opinion. [See Gen.] 

KIMBALL, DAVID F., COL., 

Oldest son of Benjamin T. Kimball, was born in Boscawen, 24 
Dec, 1811, at the old homestead, and lived there until 1845. He 
was married in 1837 to Mary P. Kilburn, daughter of Enoch 
Kilburn, of Boscawen. [See Gen.] At the age of 19 he was 
appointed ensign in the first company of light infantry, when the 
New Hamjishire militia was in its glory. The next year he was 
ranked to captain, commanding the company for three years. 
Prom captain he was ranked to the colonelcy of the 21st Kegi- 
ment, which he commanded for four years, then was honorably 
discharged. 

In 1846 he moved to Salisbury, K H., and engaged in the tan- 
ning business, which he carried on successfully for ten years ; 
moved to Beloit, Wis., in the spring of 1856 ; Avas in the grain 
trade for nearly three years ; then moved to Chicago, 111., where 
Mrs. Kimball died. He married again, in 1859, Mrs. Emily P. 
Burke, daughter of Dea. George T. Pillsbury, of Boscawen. He 
remained in Chicago in the grain and commission business eight 
years. 

During the war, Colonel and Mrs. Kimball, with seventy others, 
went to the army after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, to care 



400 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

for the sick and wounded soldiers. He there contracted the dis- 
ease of the army, and after struggling with poor health for sev- 
eral years, returned east and settled in Concord, N. H. ; resided 
there for five years, engaging in the same business as at Chicago. 
In 1871 he moved to Fisherville, N. H., where he now resides. 

KIMBALL, PETER, 

Was horn 25 May, 1817, in Boscawen, son of Benjamin and Mary 
(Kilhurn) Kimball. He remained at home till his majority, then 
entered the store of Greenleaf & Co., Salisbury. It was before 
the construction of the Northern Eailroad, when the Fourth Kew 
Hampshire Turnpike was a great thoroughfare, and Salisbury a 
centre of trade. After acquiring a knowledge of mercantile busi- 
ness, he married Miss Xancy A. Adams, daughter of Cyrus Adams, 
of Grafton, and removed thither, where he has since resided, giv- 
ing his attention to agriculture. He takes great interest and 
pride in his calling, is one of the prominent farmers of the state, 
and active in promoting the state and county agricultural socie- 
ties. 

KIMBALL, JOHK, HON., 

Son of Benjamin, born in Canterburj^, 13 April, 1821, moved to Bos- 
cawen with his parents in the spring of 1824. His education was 
such as the town school afforded, and one year (1837) at the acad- 
emy in Concord. Next jeav he was apprenticed with his father's 
cousin, "William M., serving four years, constructing mills and 
machinery. His first work after attaining his majority was to re- 
build the grist and flouring mills, in the valley near the north 
end of tlie Plain, in 1842, which are still in use. Afterwards he 
followed the same business in Suncook and Manchester, and in 
Lowell and Lawrence, Mass. In September, 1848, he was em- 
ployed b}^ the directors of the Concord Railroad to take charge of 
the new machine and car shops then building at Concord ; pro- 
moted to master mechanic, 1850. He retained this position ten 
years, at which time circumstances rendered it desirable for him 
to relinquish mechanical labor for other pursuits. 

As a mechanic Mr. Kimball has few superiors ; and his sound 
judgment and skill were in constant requisition in the res])onsible 
position held for so many years at the Railroad shops in Concord. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 401 

The experience and training of those early days have also been of 
unquestionable value to the city and state ; for the knowledge 
then acquired has contributed, not unfrequently, to the solution of 
the knotty mechanical and scientific questions which have con- 
stantly arisen in connection with the state and municipal offices 
he has been called upon to fill. 

He was elected to the common council from Ward 5, in Con- 
cord, in 1856, '57 — was president the last year; member of the 
legislature from the same ward 1858, '59, and chairman of Com- 
mittee on State Prison ; collector of taxes, and city marshal, 1859, 
60, '61, '62 ; appointed by President Lincoln, in 1862, collector of 
internal revenue for the second district of Xew Hampshire, includ- 
ing tiie counties of Merrimack and Hillsborough, an office he held 
seven j-ears, during which time he collected and paid over to the 
treasurer of the United States nearly seven millions of dollars ; 
elected moderator of "Ward 5, 1861, '^nd reelected ten successive 
years. On the organization of the Merrimack County Savings 
Bank, in 1870, he was elected its treasurer, an office he now holds. 
He was elected mayor in 1872, '73, '74, '75 ; during the time was 
one of tlie water commissioners to supply the city with water — 
president of the board, in 1875 ; appointed in 1877 for three 
years. He was member of the constitutional convention of 1876, 
and chairman of the Committee on Finance. In August, 1877, 
was appointed by Gov. Prescott one of the commissioners to build 
a new state prison. At the first meeting of the commissioners, he 
was unanimously chosen chairman, and is now engaged with the 
architects in making preparation for prosecuting the work during 
1878. 

Mr. Kimball possesses rare business and financial ability, and 
his integrity is as firm as the everlasting hills of his native state. 
In his management of public affairs he has ever displayed en- 
larged and progressive views, sound judgment, and conscientious 
motives ; and in private life he is a devoted friend, kind neighbor, 
esteemed citizen, and a charitable, tolerant, self-reliant, manly 
man, who alike honors his native town and the city of his adop- 
tion. 

KIMBALL, BENJAMIN AMES, 

Youngest child of Benjamin and Euth (Ames) Kimball, was born 
in Boscawen (Fisherville) 22 Aug., 1833 ; learned the trade of 
26 



402 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

machinist of his brother John. After siiitable preparation at Prof. 
Hildreth's academy in Derrj, he entered the Chandler Scientific 
Department of Dartmouth college in 1851, from which he gradu- 
ated in 18o4 ; immediately entered the Concord Eailroad machine 
shop as draftsman and machinist ; after two years was made fore- 
man of the locomotive department ; 1 Jan., 1858, succeeded his 
brother as master mechanic, where he labored successfully until 
1 April, 1865, when he resigned to become a member of the firm 
of Ford & Kimball, manufacturers of car wheels and brass and 
iron castings. 

Mr. Kimball is not inclined to seek political positions, but has 
filled several offices to the general satisfaction of his constituents. 
He was member of the legislature in 1870, but, owing to Irasiness 
considerations, declined a reelection in 1871. He was appointed 
one of the water commissioners at the organization of the board 
in 1872, and is now serving "the sixth year, and is its president.. 
The complete success of this undertaldng is no doubt largely due 
to his untiring and persistent labor, his ripe mechanical judgment, 
and his superior executive ability. He was returned as one of 
the members of the constitutional convention of 1876, from the 
sixth ward. 

After the financial embarrassment of the " National" (now Con- 
cord) Savings Bank, he was named as one of the new trustees, and 
15 Oct., 1874, was elected its president. This position he resigned 
in 1877, and now (1878) is travelling with his family in Europe. 

LITTLE, EXOCH, 

Was bom in Newbury, 21 May, 1728, son of Tristram Little and 
Sarah (Dole) Little. He married Sarah Pettingill, of Newburj-, 
19 Feb., 1755, who died 10 March, 1758, the mothei- of two chil- 
dren, — Friend and Mary. He married for his second wife Han- 
nah Hove}', of Newbury, 5 June, 1759. He was a weaver, and 
also learned to make shoes. He moved from Hampstead to Bos- 
cawen, April, 1774, a poor man with a large family. He passed 
the year in a house on the Hale Atkinson farm. Fish street, 
carrying on land on High street, near Salisbury line ; also 
building a log house — his future home — on land now owned 
by his great-grandson, Sherman Little. He moved to his new 
home on the 2d of September, 1774. His house had no floor. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 403 

The fireplace, in all probability, was made of svicli stones as he 
could conveniently obtain. The wliole surrounding region was 
a dense forest. Two other houses only had been erected west 
of Blackwater, — the " Day " house, on land owned now by 
Henry L. Dodge, and the " Cass " house, on the farm occupied by 
Mr. David Sweatt, near Long pond. Mr. Corser was living on 
Corser hill. Capt. Peter Coffin's, and perhaps one or two t)ther 
houses, had been erected on Water street. With neighl)ors so far 
away, in an unbroken forest, Mr. Little reared his humble home. 
Eev. Mr. Price, in a biographical notice, says that " he became a 
Christian at tlie age of eleven, and, like Enoch of old, ' walked 
with God ' seventy-seven years, sixty-four of which he was a dis- 
ciple of Christ by a Christian profession. He sought retirement, 
particularly in his advanced age, for what was most congenial 
with the habits of his mind, giving himself to the reading of 
the scriptures and prayer." He was the ancestor of numerous 
descendants, many of whom have entered the ministry. He died 
21 Oct., 1816. 

LITTLE, ENOCH, DEA., 

The second of the name in Boscawen, was the son of Enoch Little 
and Hannah (Hovey) Little. The incidents of his life are learned 
in part from an autobiographical sketch found among his papers. 

"Enoch Little, born Jan. 17, 1763, in Newbury, Mass. 

" 1706. Moved to Ilampstead at 3 years and 3 months old — lived 
there s years. 

" 1774. April, moved to Boscawen at 11 years and 3 months old. 

" 1785. At the age of 22 took my land wild and began to clear. 

" 1786. Went to school at Atkinson. 

" 1787. Kept school on Corser hill in winter, and worked on my land 
in summer. 

'' 1787. Built my first barn. 

" 1788. Kept school on Corser Hill. Hired Oliver Clement 7 months 
this summer for 42 dollars. Cleared 6 acres on the liill, and by tlie low- 
est side of the new barn field. 

" Kept school in Jo's house this winter, and carried on my farm alone 
this summer, and in the fall began to cut timber for my house. 

" 1790. Prepared boards and shingles, bricks &c., for my house this 
winter. Raised my house in June, made my cellar, covered my house, 
built my chimneys this fall, and married the last day of Nov. 

"Moved into ray house Feb. 22, 1791." 



404 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Mr. Little early in life identified himseK with the cause of re- 
ligion, became a prominent member of the church, and was elected 
deacon to succeed Dea. Benjamin Sweatt. 

He kept a day-book for many years. Although his entries are 
brief, and almost phonographic, yet they are so terse that from 
them we get, now and then, a complete picture of the times. He 
was a natural poet, and many of his notes are in rhyme. 

" Sat. 9 May, 1807. 

" The ground is chiefly dressed in green, 
But still some banks of snow are seen. 

"1810, Tues. July 31. 

" My corn is yet exceeding low, 
Although it now begins to grow; 
The field I travelled wholly through 
To find one spindle in the blow. 

"1812, Jan. 21. 

" The Northern blast for three full weeks 
Has reign 'd triumphant thro' the land ; 
The frost each narrow crevice seeks, 

The brooks in iron fetters chained ; 
Propitious Heaven! in mercy speak, 
And bid the Southern breezes wake." 

The next day we find an entry in rhyme indicating that the 
weather has grown milder. 

" 1812, Jan. Sat. 25. 

"Now Sol, propitious, condescends to pay 
A longer visit each succeeding day ; 
And as he runs his journey from the east, 
Comfort administers to man & beast." 
In 1813, in the month of December, occurred an exceedingly 
disastrous fire at Portsmouth, the light of which was seen in 
Boscawen. His book contains these notes : 

" 1813, Dec. 25. Cold and windy. Went to Salisbury. Paid $5.00 
to those who sufi'ered by fire. 

" The fire seen last Wednesday night, 

AVhich burned so long and shone so bright, 
In Portsmouth dreadful havoc made, 
And wide its desolations spread; 
Above an hundred dwelling-houses burned, 
Above 1000 people out of doors are turned." 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 405 

Mr. Little delighted in abbreviating words. He was naturally 
a ijbonographer, and almost invariably wrote " taters " instead of 
potatoes, and " lasses " for molasses. 

" Oct. 8, 18U. 

'' The tater tops are green as yet, 
But very soon they must be bit. 
" 1815, Ap. 22. 

" Our sheep have left the barn to-day, 
Took up with grass and left the hay. 
I've turned them out for good & all, 
And fondly hope they'll stay till fall." 

On his fifty-third birth-day, in four lines he throws a glance 
backward over the buried years and onward to the close of life. 
A pathetic minor chord runs through the stanza : 

" 1816, Jan. 17. 53 years old to-day. 

" My years are swiftly rolling on 
And most of them are past : 
Some one must end this mortal life, 
And this may be my last." 

In April the "notes" are ludicrous. During the month a 
woman partially insane suddenly disappeared from one of the 
neighbors' houses, and the neighborhood joined in searching for 
her. Hence the allusion : 

" April 11. Strayed from Mr. Stickney's a large girl 16 hands high. 
" April 12. Snowy day. Hunted for Sal Stickney." 

The winter of 1819 was an open one. These are some of the 
notes : 

" Dec. 20. 

" My hogs are fat and fit to go. 
But yet the price is very low. 
I wait awhile for better times, 
And spend ray time in making rhymes. 

" Feb. 10. 

" No sleighs have gone to market this year. 
" Stock is high and hay is low; 

The ground is wholly void of snow." 



406 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

The following prayer is remarkable for comprehensiveness and 
felicitous expression. Dea. Little often repeated it, and taught it 
to his children and grandchildren. 

"AN EVK^•ING prayp:r, 

" Lord, thou hast kept me through the day, 
For which to Tliee my thanks I pay ; 
O keep me safely through the night, 
And bring me to the morning light. 
Forgive my sins, renew my heart, 
Wisdom and grace to me impart; 
Grant me an interest in thy love, 
And raise my thoughts to Thee above." 

His opportunities for obtaining an education were exceedingly 
limited. It is probable that during the eight years he lived at 
Hampstead he learned to read, but he left there at the age of 11. 
The next year, 1774, was taken up with the removal of the fam- 
ily to Boscawen, to the house on Fish street, and in getting the 
log cabin started on Little hill, and a patch of ground cleared. 
His father and his older brothers went up from Fish street at the 
beginning of the week chopping trees, and stayed till Saturday. 
Enoch, then 12 years old, and one of his brothers, had to keep 
them supplied with provisions. The house of Capt. Peter Coffin 
on Water street was the half-way place, where they rested, and 
ate a bowl of bread and milk which Mrs. Coffin gave them. Mr. 
Coffin had been several yeai-s in town, — had quite a patch of 
ground cleared, raised corn and rye, and was getting on in the 
world. 

In the fall of 1775 his father moved into his log cabin, and dur- 
ing the long winter evenings Enoch employed his time in learning 
to wi'ite, by lying on the split floor before the pitch knot fire, 
with strips of birch bark for paper and a charred stick for a pen. 

The family was very poor. There were many mouths to feed. 
Nothing had been raised. Corn was scarce and high, but there 
was one man to whom they could look for help, — Capt. Peter Cof- 
fin, who never took advantage of his opportunity, but who supplied 
them with corn at the regular pi-ice, on ci-edit. There were so, 
many to be provided for, that in midwinter some of the children 
were obliged to go with bare feet. Enoch often was obliged to 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 407 

wrap Ills feet in swingling tow, and stand on a cliip while cutting 
down trees in midwinter. 

He w^ent to Atkinson academy one term in 1786, when he was 
23 years of age. There he made the acquaintance of a pleasant 
girl, Polly ISToyes, 15 years of age, whom he asked to be his wife, 
and wlio accepted the offer, — agreeing to wait till he could get 
started a little in life. Her parents were prudent people, and the 
father was not quite sure whether or not the young man from the 
backwoods would succeed in getting a living ; and so, when he 
went down to claim his bride, in 1790, the father informed him 
that the kettle, frying-pan, feather-bed, and quilts, which made 
up the daughter's outfit, were loaned to him. The young husband, 
flashing up, proposed not to take them. He would sleep on the 
floor, and cook his porridge as best he could. The pluck displayed 
pleased the father-in-law, and in November, 1790, with his bride 
seated on a pillion behind him, and all her outfit packed on a led 
horse, he rode from Atkinson to Little hill, and began married 
life on the farm now occupied by Dea. Francis B. Sawyer. 

Before his marriage, as learned from his autobiography, he 
taught school on Corser hill, in the south-west corner room of the 
house occupied by Eev. Mr. Price, and later by S. B. Little, Esq., 
and then owned by Samuel Corser. The seats were of plank, 
without any backs. There were no desks. The only window was 
half a sash of six lights. He taught reading, spelling, and arith- 
metic. The school district embraced the whole of what is now 
the town of Webster. There were about forty boys, and a few 
girls. jMany of the lioys were from eighteen to twenty-four years 
of age, and it required tact, diplomacy, and dignity to preserve 
order ; but the young man was equal to the occasion, and proved 
himself a competent master. 

He was the first teacher of music in the town. His first school 
was taught in the house now owned by Henry L. Dodge. Mr. 
Little was at that time tending the saw-mill near by. He studied 
his arithmetic while the saw was going through a log, and in the 
evening taught music gratuitously one term, but charged a shill- 
ing — seventeen cents — an evening the second term. 

In regard to his knowledge of music, he said, — " I knew but lit- 
tle about music, but I guess I knew more at that time than any 
other man in town." 



408 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

The rules were in rhyme — some of his own making. He liad 
the idea that triple time M'as suited to pensive music. 

He was a man of remarkable vigor, physically and mentally, 
lived in advance of his age, took long looks ahead, predicting 
great things in the future, — of the advancement of society in 
knowledge, and in the a^jplication of science to practical life. He 
ever kept pace with the times, and was the first to produce mer- 
ino wool in the town, if not in the county. 

He was long an officer of the church, and was decided in his 
own convictions, hut tolerant of the opinions of others. His later 
years were devoted to the study of the Bible, in which he took 
great delight. He was kind, genial, witty, a natural poet, a good 
citizen, an earnest Christian, and an honor to his age and genera- 
tion. 

LITTLE, 2D, ENOCH, DEA., 

Son of Enoch, deacon, the third of the name, resided on Little 
hill. He was horn in 1804, and acquired an academic education 
at Pembroke, under the tuition of Rev. Amos Burnham. He 
taught school in Boscawen and other towns, and settled on 
the homestead with his father. He gave attention to music, and 
for a long period was leader of the choir connected with the 
Webster Congregational church ; taught singing-school in Web- 
ster and Salisbury ; had a high sense of the value of sacred 
music as a means of public worshiji, and sung, not for the enjoy- 
ment that came from singing merely, but as an act of devotion 
and a religious duty. 

He was a man of strong convictions, a diligent student of 
the Bible, a constant attendant upon church services, and for 
about thirty years an officer of the church ; also one of the 
first to engage in Sunday-school work, beginning as a teacher 
when but eighteen years of age, and remaining to the close of 
life a constant attendant. 

He was a prominent member of the Martin Luther Musical 
Society, a town organization, and also of the Central Musical So- 
ciety, which flourished from 1820 to 1830 ; also a member of the 
Boston Academy of Music. He never sought public life, but rep- 
resented the town one year. He was an active member and pres- 
ident of the Merrimack County Agricultural Society, and took 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 409 

great interest in tlie advancement of agriculture and sheep lius- 
bandry. 

He was ever ready to give to charitable and benevolent objects, 
and was a strong pillar in the Webster Congregational church. 
He had a vigorous mind, and was tenacious of his own convictions 
of duty and obligation. He died in the full hope of Christian im- 
mortality, honored and respected by all, October, 1875. 

LITTLE, SIMEON B. 

Simeon Bartlett Little, son of Benjamin Little, Esq., was born 
in Boscawen, 16 Dec, 1797. His education was acquired at the 
common school. In early life he was a news-carrier. The postal 
facilities were of little account, especially for news})apei-s, and he 
supplied the people of Hopkinton, Boscawen, Salisbur}^, and An- 
dover with the Concord Gazette, printed by George Hough. 
Starting from home early on the morning of its publication, he 
rode to Concord on horseback, filled his. saddle-bags with papers, 
then riding through Hopkinton, reached home at night, and on 
the second day made the round of Salisbury and Andover. In 
cold or stormy weather, three da^'s were given to the distribution. 
Besides carrying papers he executed errands. By this means he 
acquii'ed his first money. 

In all communities there are men who come into active life 
without effort of their own, — wlio are recognized as possessing 
qualifications for leadership. Simeon B. Little was such a man. 
He was selectman ten j^ears, two years a member of the legisla- 
ture, and a delegate to the convention for the revision of the con- 
stitution. Between the years 1839 and 1858 inclusive, with but 
two exceptions, he was elected moderator at the annual town- 
meeting. He was endowed with a judicial mind, and held through 
the active years of life a magistrate's commission. He was ad- 
ministrator of between thirty and forty estates, and was con- 
cerned in the settlement of nearly as many more. He received 
nearly twenty appointments as guardian for minors or insane 
persons, and held a large amount of funds in trust. 

His business as a conveyancer of deeds was very large, — nearly 
one thousand. Men who wished to make their last wills and 
testaments called upon him for counsel, and he wrote a large 
number. If parties came with complaints, desiring litigation, he 



410 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

acted the part of peace-maker. ''My docket," lie said, near tlie 
close of life, " had but one criminal and two civil cases." 

He was frequently chosen by parties, or was appointed by the 
courts, as referee. Six times he served as juror. He learned land- 
surveying at an early date, and surveyed many farms. He was 
for about fifteen 3^ears president or director of the Granite Fire 
Insurance Company, and for fifteen 3'ears or more director and 
secretary. 

Mr. Little was one of the leading members of the church and 
religious societj^, giving his time, his counsel, and of his means 
to sustain what he conceived to be for the vital interests of the 
community. In speaking of the part he had taken in public life, 
lie once said, — " I have been elected more times to some responsi- 
ble office in town by ballots, from 1828 to 1860, than there are 
years, and I can say what many cannot, that I never, directly or 
indirectly, solicited a nomination or vote." 

Mr. Little's strong common-sense, his habits of thought, and 
study of good models, gave him every facility in the use of lan- 
guage. He wrote many articles for the press, on a great variety 
of subjects. His contributions were noted for their strength, 
clearness, and incisiveness. He greatly deplored his lack of edu- 
cation. His attendance at the district school closed when he was 
seventeen. His academical instruction was limited to eight 
weeks. Mentally and physically he was sturdy and honest. It 
is not easy to estimate the influence of such a man, — one who 
stood with all his might for tlie maintenance of his convictions 
of truth and justice. He had no sj'mpathy with anj'thing that 
in any way tended to debase the tone of society. 

Mr. Little was naturally conservative, and his fears that radi- 
calism might overturn the foundations of society led him to resist 
all innovations. He was a Puritan of the eighteenth century. 
Such men make mistakes, but they are errors of the head and not 
of the heart ; and their fellow-men will overlook any error of judg- 
ment when they see that it is error and not fraud or hyj^ocrisy. 
Men who opposed him politically, who dissented from his views, 
ever acknowledged his integrit}", the honesty of his intentions, and 
his sterling worth. 

During his last years he suffered partial paralysis that incajiaci- 
tated him for labor, but, even while the fires of life were djdng 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 411 

out, he manifested a desire to do what he could for the good of 
his fellow-men. [See Gen.] 

LITTLE, THOMAS, CAPT., 

Son of Jesse and Martlia (Gerrish) Little, was born in Boscawen, 
2 Jan., 1802. He had no educational advantages other than 
those furnished hy the district school. He remained at home 
upon the farm now owned by Mr. Clifford, while two of his elder 
brothers, Jacob and Henry, entered college and studied for the 
ministry, and another elder brother, John, became a dresser of 
cloth. He married M3^ra, daughter of Capt. Joseph Ames, 1829 
[see Gen.], and moved to West Creek, Ind., 1854, where he resided 
till his death. 

He was kind, genial, warm-hearted, and had an overflow of 
good nature which made him everywhere welcome. He loved 
children, and was beloved by them. He was a good citizen, was 
several times elected selectman, and was as faithful in public as 
in private life. He was hearty in his support of the religious and 
charitable institutions of the day. His influence was ever for 
good, and he was respected and honored by all who knew him. 
He died at West Creek, 19 Aug., 1877. 

LITTLE, HOKACE, 

Son of Richard and Mary (Pillsbury) Little, was born 17 Sept., 
1832. His father dying when he was but eight years of age, de- 
privecf him of parental care and help. He attended the district 
school, and went to Pennsylvania in 1851, where he has since re- 
sided. His present home is at Eidgeway. He was emjiloyed for 
several years as a land-surveyor, and while thus engaged had an 
opportunity of making observations of the value of real estate in 
the lumber regions, Avhich he has since turned to good account. 
He has been a large operator in land and lumber. He married 
Lucy A. Taylor, of Pennsylvania, and has five children. [See 
Gen.] 

LITTLE, CHARLES HERBEKT, 

Was the youngest son of Benjamin and Rhoda (Bartlett) Little. 
He was born in Boscawen, 5 Dec, 1804, and prepared for college 
under the tuition of Eev. Daniel Lancaster and Eev. Samuel 



412 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Wood. After graduating in 1827 lie completed the course at 
Andover Theological Seminary in 1830. Hoping to find a more 
congenial climate, he passed most of the two subsequent years as 
a teacher in a private family, and in a female academy- in South 
Carolina. He returned to New Hampshire in August, 1833, and 
became joint editor and proprietor of the Neio Han^yshire Ob- 
server, a religious paper printed at Concord. He resigned the 
editorship in February, 1835, on account of gradually failing 
health. He returned to his home, lingered till 1 Jan., 1836, 
■when he calmly passed away. His disease was consumption. 

LITTLE, CHARLES, M. D. 

Charles Little, son of Capt. Richard and IMary C. Little, was 
born at Little hill. West Boscawen, 14 Feb., 1837. At the age 
of fifteen he united with the Congregational church. He fitted 
for college at Andover, Mass., entered Dartmouth in 1856, and 
was graduated in 1860. He began at once the study of medicine. 
Liberty4oving and eager for the service of his country, he enlisted 
as hospital steward with the 15th Regiment Vt. V. M. in 1862. 
He was earnest and faithful in his work, enduring much hardship 
upon the march and in care of the sick, often acting as nurse, and 
watching through the long nights alone, with men who were too 
sick to be moved when the orders came to " strike tents." It was 
said of liim, that among the sick he had the touch of a woman. 

He took his medical degree at Hanover, N. H., October, 1863, 
and in ISTovember entered the U. S. Navy as acting assistamt sur- 
geon. He was appointed to the "■ Winona," a vessel of the block- 
ading fleet off Charleston harbor, S. C. He had the medical care 
of about one hundred men until the close of the war in 1865. 

Life at sea was sometimes monotonous, but subject at all times, 
night and day, to sudden and intense excitements, — keeping clear 
of torpedoes, sighting strange-looking craft, with now and then a 
hot pursuit for a prize. The one grand, joyful event to them was 
the receiving of the mail. Shut out as they were from the world, 
the suspense was sometimes terrible, so words from home and 
news of the progress of the war were eagerly received. The longed- 
for news came at length. He says, in his diary, 15 April, 1865, 
— " The Canonicus came in with the certain information that Gen. 
Lee has surrendered. Glory to God ! " 



Iv 




(ffjz^?-iy<>-i^ X^^^^^z^ 



'^l-^S'T^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 413 

Upon his discharge from service he continued the study of med- 
icine six months at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 'New 
York city. June 11, 1866, he married the only daughter of Har- 
ris Cowdrey, M. D., of Acton, Mass., and hegan in that town the 
general practice of his jjrofession. He entered upon his work 
with zeal and ambition, and with such success as to give promise 
of high rank among physicians. 

He died of consumption 16 Nov., 1869, aged 32 years and 10 
months. His career was brief, but it was eventful and manly. 

LITTLE, HEXRY, D. D., 

Son of Jesse and Martha (Gerrish) Little, was born in Boscawen, 
23 March, 1800. At the age of 15 he united with the church 
over which Rev. E. Price was pastor, and, with Enoch Kilburn, 
Simeon B. Little, and other young men, sustained a young peo- 
ple's prayer-meeting every Saturday evening for five years. 

At 17 and 18 he taught school at Canterbury, N. H., and at 
19 the school on Water street, Boscawen, in which fourteen of 
his scholars became Christians. In the reformation that winter, 
he took an active part in the meetings, visited from house to 
house, and helped twelve men to commence family worshi2). 

This revival settled the question in regard to entering the min- 
istry, and near his twentieth birthday he began to fit for college, 
studj'ing with Samuel Wood, d. d., of Boscawen, at Salisbury 
academy, and at Hanover. He graduated at Dartmouth college 
in 1826, at Andover Theological Seminary in 1829, and was or- 
dained as an evangelist the next day, 34 Sept., in Park Street 
church, Boston, with fifteen other home and foreign missionaries, 
by the Presbytery of Newburyport, Mass. 

While a senior at Andover, Dr. Porter gave Mr. L. the credit 
of bringing twenty from the two classes below him in college to 
the seminary. His influence over so many students induced Dr. 
Porter and the other professors, with Dr. Cornelius, then secre- 
tary of the American Education Society, to select him as agent 
for that object, which position he filled for about two years in 
New England and the West, commencing in New Hampshire and 
Massachusetts. Continuing in the same work, lie visited the 
Western States, travelling on horseback over western Pennsyl- 
vania, western Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennes- 



414 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

see ; also through a part of Illinois and Michigan. He soon 
accepted a call from the Presbyterian church at Oxford, Ohio 
(June, 1831), where in less than two 3'ears 297 were added to its 
number. His pastorate closed in April, 1833. 

About this date, the American Board of Foreign Missions and 
the American Home Missionary Society, with the American Tract 
Society and the American Education Society, all had a branch of 
their work for the great West at Cincinnati, Ohio, each of them 
wishing him to be their secretary and general agent. He soon 
received the appointment of secretary and agent for the Board of 
Agency of the Western States for the American Home Missionary 
Society. 

Thus located at Cincinnati, the whole country west of the Alle- 
ghanies was his field, and his zealous, constant, and efficient labors 
were crowned with success. He had not yet given up the idea of 
being pastor, and had a successful pastorate of two years in Mad- 
ison, Ind. (from Nov., 1838, to 1840), during which time sixty 
united with the church. 

He once turned aside to beg $50,000 for Lane Theological Sem- 
inary, and once $10,000 for the Western Female Seminary at Ox- 
ford, Ohio ; but his main life-work has lieen that of home missions. 
In many of the past years, between the fall and spring pres- 
byteries, he has preached as often as once a day for five or six 
months, and has seen thousands become Christians. 

Dr. Little has ever been an earnest Sabbath-school worker, be- 
ginning at Boscawen, when such schools were first formed in that 
town. The graded school system, and its adoption by the state of 
Indiana, found in him an earnest advocate ; and in the Indiana 
Centennial School Report, Dr. Henry Little's name is given as 
the originator of the first graded school in that state. 

Dr. L. has twice had applications to be a professor in college, 
has received invitations to settle over churches in St. Louis, Louis- 
ville, Cincinnati, Lowell, Mass., and other places ; but, after en- 
tering the home missionary work the second time, in 1840, it 
seemed his duty to continue in it the rest of his life. He married, 
19 Sept., 1831, Miss Susan Norton Smith, of Hatfield, Mass., a 
pupil of Miss Grant and Miss Mary Lyon. Of his eight chil- 
dren, four are sons, all ministers, and settled over Presbyterian 
churches at Washington, D. C, New Albany, Ind., Mankato, Minn., 
and St. Louis, Mo. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 415 

An article in the Independent, 9th May, 1867, written by the 
president of Wabash college, Rev. Dr. Tuttle, sets forth tlie Labors 
of Dr. Little : 

"During a brief pastorate, many scores were converted, and some of 
these till places of great usefulness in the church and state. There is 
uo labor he shuns, in prosecuting his work as a sort of home missionary 
bishop. Along the Miami, the Scioto, the Muskingum, the White, 
and the AVabash, in the heats of summer and the tremendous discom- 
forts of a AVestern winter, he pushes his work, — now in the gra;id old 
woods, now in the log school-house or private mansion, or in the hum- 
ble meeting-house, telling men of Christ. He has rode four contin- 
uous days oti horseback, in the luud and rain, to reach an appoint- 
ment. 

"From ]\Iarietta to Evansville, from Cleveland to La Porte, this 
man has gone, planting churches, building up waste places, encourag- 
ing home missionaries, searching out the scattered sheep, holding pro- 
tracted meetings, everywhere welcomed, honored, and loved. Thirty- 
six years has he been at this ivork, until he has publicly addressed more 
audiences, visited more churches, worked directly in more revivals in 
Ohio and Indiana, talked to more people, seen more changes in commu- 
nities and persons, than any man that can be named. 

" Go where he will, he meets those who owe everything to him as 
God's instrument, those who have been encouraged by him, those who 
have caught the best impulses of life from him ; — and now, in this year 
1867, this blessed man has preached fourteen times in eight days in one 
pulpit, preaching the gospel in such a cheerful light that his hearers 
exclaim, ' Would to God we could love it as he does! ' " 

The above was written in 1867. E-ev. Dr. Little is still en- 
gaged in the work of planting churches, making, since his ordina- 
tion in 1829, more than forty-eight years of continuous labor. 
He is now superintendent of missions for the state of Indiana. 
The honorable title of D. d. was conferred on him by Wabash 
college in 1865. 

LITTLE, ALFKED, MAJ., 

Son of Henry and Susan Little, and grandson of Enoch and 
Jesse Little, was born in Boscawen, 3 June, 1823. At six years 
of age a partial parah^sis disabled one limb, obliging liim to use a 
crutch. In May, 1836, the family moved to Peoria, 111., where a 
severe attack of rheumatic fever in part destroyed the use of his 
other leg. After the death of his father (who died suddenly, 



416 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

29 April, 183S) lie returned to Boscawen, in May, 1840, and in 
the autumn of the same year commenced to work in the melodeon 
and seraphine shop of Mr. Charles Austin, at Concord, N. H., one 
of the very earliest manufacturers of reed instruments in America. 

Noted from a child for his musical talents and correct ear, he 
soon became tuner of these instruments, being among the first to 
introduce various improvements in the voicing and tuning of 
reeds, which have since been adopted by his brother craftsmen 
throughout the country. 

Two serious faults of the early instruments of this description 
were, first, slowness of speech, and, second, a crude and reedy 
quality of tone. To obviate these defects, Maj. Little soon found 
that a material change could be made by bending and shaping 
the reeds, divesting them of their harsh and unpleasant sound, 
and giving to them a tone more round and mellow. By this 
method, an even tone of the same quality throughout the scale 
was produced, and with greater freedom of vibration, causing 
them, in tuner's language, to "speak quick." 

The 3fusic Trade Jievieic, New York, of 3 Sept., 1877, con- 
tains an article, entitled "Who was the original inventor of the 
art of voicing reeds ?" in which the following extract of a letter 
from J. D. Cheney, tuner and manufacturer of cabinet organs at 
Stevens Plain, Me., is given : 

"I was at A. Prescott's, Concord, N. II., from the winter of ISio-G 
to 1850, and I am sure that Alfred Little, who was then tuning for 
Charles Austin, used to bend the points of the reeds, as he said, 'to 
talce away a part of the snarl P 

" This was previous to Mr. Carhart's improved tube-board, and 
was done in connection with the old style force-bellows, round-keyed 
melodeon.'" 

At a Mechanic's Fair, held in Boston, the attention of Dea. 
Timoth}^ Gilbert, piano-maker, was called to the peculiar quality 
and pure tone of an instrument tuned by Ma,j. Little, and he ever 
after procured his reeds of Mr. Austin for the " J^^olian attach- 
ment " to his pianos. 

Maj. Little claims to be the first tuner in America who regular- 
ly set the equal temperament on reed instruments, and in this was 
several years in advance of his contemporaries. For his first 
efforts in this direction, he was greatly indebted to the late Prof. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 417 

George Wood, the sweet singer of Concord, N. H. It is probably 
true that he tuned the first double-reed instrument in this coun- 
try, — a seraphine, made by Charles Austin. He also tuned 
melodeons for Dearborn & Bartlett, of Concord, N. H., continu- 
ing in the business until 1852. At this date he invented and 
manufactured, for his own use, an instrument of considerable 
power, and yet of remarkable sweetness, which has been his 
constant companion to the present day. On listening to its 
tones, an eminent musical critic pronounced it a "miniature or- 
chestra," which suggested its name, — the Orchestral Melodeon 
[see engraving]. For its versatility of musical effects, its inimi- 
table tremolo, and the dynamical expression of which it is capa- 
ble, this instrument is unsurpassed. 

The round-keyed melodeon, in use from 1838 to 1850, has almost 
wholl}^ disappeared, having been succeeded by the cabinet organ. 
The original melodeon (as seen in engraving) was blown by the 
left arm, a movement awkward to most men, and giving a limited 
use of the left hand. Maj. Little soon attained wonderful skilful- 
ness in the manipulation of this instrument, and as a player of 
the round-keyed melodeon he is without a peer in the world. 

Possessing the rare gift of improvisation, seemingly without 
any study he calls forth from his instrument many a gem of mel- 
ody and harmony, which " to hear once is to wish to hear again." 
Endowed with a voice of great sweetness and pathos, though not 
of remarkable compass, and having a high appreciation of the 
beautiful in poetry as well as in music, he became popular as a 
concert giver. His first musical entertainment was in Pantheon 
hall, Fisherville, N. H., March, 1846. Since then he has given 
delight to hundreds of thousands in New England, Ohio, Indiana, 
and Illinois. 

Ever ready to respond with voice and instrument to the calls of 
charity and patriotism, cheering the patient on his bed of suffer- 
ing, or teaching a Sabbath-school song to children, he has made 
friends everywhere ; and many a wayfarer has been aided by his 
helping hand, or cheered by his buoyant sympathy. 

He was appointed fife-major of the 21st N. H. Regiment by Col. 
Joseph L. Pillsbury, receiving the honorary commission at the 
hands of Gov. N. B. Baker. 

Nature does not always endow her poets with an exquisite 
27 



418 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

sense of melody, or enable them to produce her harmonies in 
music ; hut she has made an exception in the person of Maj. 
Little; — he is both musician and poet. Few men have a pro- 
founder appreciation of the melodies of Haydn, or the soul-inspir- 
ing harmonies of Handel and Beethoven, than he ; and there are 
few Avho take greater delight in the study of Milton and Shake- 
speare. 

That Maj. Little has poetic talent is manifest by the following 
song — an apostrophe to a fine group of trees still adorning the old 
homestead, now owned by Capt. William D. George : 

MY MERRY MAPLE GROVE. 

There is a spot to mem'ry dear, 

"Where oft in childhood I would rove, 
The merry wildbird's song to hear : 

It was my Maple Grove. 
How fair the view on every side — 

The church on yonder hill, 
Kearsarge in all its lofty pride, 

The pond so clear and still. 

And then the moss-grown rock I'd climb, 

To pick the berries ripe and red ; 
"While squirrels scattered from the limb 

Their nutshells on my head. 
'Twas there I hammered from the ledge 

Bright garnets hued like wine, 
Or gathered from its western edge 

The nodding columbine. 

Dear Maple Grove ! I see thee now, 

Enrobed in dress of flowing green ; 
There stands my boyhood's home below, 

"With grassy lane between. 
Though fairer scenes perchance may be 

To win a poet's love, — 
Yet thou art ever dear to me. 

My merry Maple Grove. 

There's not a tree that braves the gale, 

Or towering rock or purling rill, 
But telleth each its simple tale 

Of recollection still. 
Though flowers may fade and friends may die, 

Though far away I rove, — 
Yet oft shall winged mem'ry fly 

To thee ! my Maple Grove. 

LITTLE, JACOB, D. D., 

Son of Jesse and Martha (G-errish) Little, was bom in Boscawen, 
N. H., 1 May, 1795. At the age of eleven years he became a 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 419 

Christian, and united with the Congregational church of Bos- 
cawen, West Parish, 25 June, 1815. He fitted for college under 
Samuel Wood, D. d., of Boscawen, and at Meriden academy ; grad- 
uated at Dartmouth in 1822 ; and at Andover Theological Semi- 
nary in 1825. He was ordained as an evangelist, at Goffstown, 
N. H., and first preached six months at Hoosick, N. Y. 

In 1826 he entered the employ of the AVashington County 
(Ohio) Missionary Society, reaching Belpre (near Marietta) June 
80. His lahors in this and other towns within the county con- 
tinued about one year. Here, and in neighboring places, Bible- 
classes (the first in that section) were formed ; here, also, he 
preached his first temperance sermon. 

He commenced his labors at GrauA'ille, Licking county, Ohio, 
1 June, 1827, and at the end of six months was settled over the 
Congregational church in that place, where he continued as pastor 
until 4 Dec, 1864, a period of thirty-seven and one half years. 

In this charming town of central Ohio, long noted for its cul- 
tured men and women, its churches and various institutions of 
learning. Dr. Little, with his shrewd good sense and pious exam- 
ple, led the people for nearly forty years. 

Previous to his removal to Granville, an unhappy quarrel had 
split the church into factions ; but with the most consummate tact 
— he was the very prince of Christian tacticians — he brought 
these factions together, and became the pastor of the now reunited 
organization. In this, and in other matters connected with his 
people. Dr. Little showed himself to be by nature a commander, 
in knowing what ought to be done, and how to do it. " Blessed 
are the peace-makers," and he and his people were soon blessed 
with a revival of wonderful power, the first of thirteen great re- 
vivals during his ministry. 

His labors were so eminently successful that the church at 
Granville soon became the most noted religious organization in 
central Ohio. The parish was six miles square, but the pastor 
systematically visited every family belonging to his congregation, 
organizing conference and prayer meetings as well as Bible- 
classes in every district, which were conducted with astonishing 
efficiency. In teaching and explaining the scriptures he took 
great delight, and spent much time in fitting himself for this im- 
portant duty. 



420 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Dr. Little had the rare faculty of setting everybody to work. 
There was hardly a male member in his church that did not pray 
in imblic, and a large part of them exhorted publicly in the con- 
ference meeting. He soon became known as the "plain preacher" 
— the man who dared to speak boldly in condemnation of vice. 
His " New Years' Sermons," on the first Sunday in January, were 
always reviews of the year, and on that day every seat and aisle 
in the meeting-house was occupied. Several of these sermons 
were published. A letter in the New York Tribune, 29 July, 
1854, gives the following sketch of Dr. L. : 

" The most remarkable man in Granville, if not in the whole county, 
is the Rev. Jacob Little, pastor of the Congregational church. He is 
a graduate of Dartmouth college, and keeps his polite studies bright by 
practice. He is extremely plain in his appearance, and in the pulpit 
has none of the mannerisms of his profession. In style he is perfectly 
simple, and yet there is such robust good sense in all that he does, and 
such sagacity of judgment, rarely in error, accompanied by a rare purity 
and integrity of character, that it may be said he stands among the 
foremost ranks of his profession in this great state. His goodness is so 
good as to amount to genius, and his simplicity of manner and style at 
times produces the effects of the highest eloquence. He has a wonderful 
passion for statistics connected with his own locality, and can tell you 
how many get drunk, how many drink intoxicating liquor, how many 
use tobacco, how many have died since he was in Granville, and at what 
age and of what disease, how many attend church, and who visit and 
travel on Sundays," &c., &c. 

The following is an extract from Dr. Little's new year's ser- 
mon of 1849 : 

" This township has 411 families and 1,376 adults. It has 37 drinking 
families, 119 drinking adults, 21 drunkards, and during the past year 
has consumed 4,153 gallons of intoxicating Hquor, The families having 
no altar are 219; reading no religious papers, 223; children between six 
and twenty-one attending no Sabbath-school, 179; adults who visit, 
work, or journey on the Sabbath, 183; neglect public worship, 113; 
cannot read, 22; use profane language, 189; use tobacco, 364; play 
cards, 83; attend balls, 40; supposed to be impenitent, 777. The send- 
ino- 150 persons to Botany bay would blot from our history most of the 
above number." 

During Dr. Little's pastorate at Granville, there were added 
to his church 1,041 members, of whom 664 were received upon 




^^^Jcs^'mL 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 421 

profession of their faith. In these j^ears he preached about 5,000 
sermons, and more than 1,000 persons are supposed to have been 
led to a religious life through his ministry. 

His kind and genial nature secured the love and confidence of 
children and youth, who ever felt free to come to him for needed 
sympathy and counsel. His varied duties as pastor and preacher led 
him to be systematic and exact. Says a writer in the New York 
Evangelist, — " I never saw Jacob Little oif duty and at leisure. 
His industry was restless, and his method un3'ielding as iron 
bands." As a writer, he was simple and plain, preferring force to 
elegance, choosing to have his sentiments rather than his sen- 
tences remembered. 

In 1863, Dr. Little delivered a course of lectures at Lane Theo- 
logical Seminary, on Pastoral Theology; and from January, 1867, 
to July, 1869, furnished a column each week for the Christicm 
Herald, published at Cincinnati, entitled " The Pastor." Besides 
the " New Years' Sermons," he published several other discourses, 
as well as many delightful and valuable articles in the religious 
newspapers. Perhaps his most important work is the " History 
of Granville," published in fifty-nine numbers of the Ohio Ob- 
server, at Hudson, about the year 1845. 

The male academj^ and the female seminary of Granville (of the 
latter of which he was trustee) owed their existence and much of 
their prosperity to his efforts. For a number of years he was 
trustee of Western Eeserve college, and of Central college, Ohio. 
He also served as trustee of Marietta college from 1845 to 1870. 

In person, Dr. Little was a large man, and jiossessed great phys- 
ical activity and endurance. For thirty years his average weight 
in the winter was 200 pounds. For thirty-five years he never 
lost a Sabbath from ill health. This he attributed largely to his 
regular and temperate habits, using neither tea, coffee, nor tobacco. 

At the close of 1864, Dr. Little resigned his pastorate over the 
church at Granville, and removed to his farm near Warsaw, Ind., 
where he resided until 1874, preaching to unsupplied churches 
about one third of the time. His strength beginmng to fail, he 
then removed to the home of his son, Eev. Charles Little, at 
Wabash, Ind., where he passed to his rest, 17 Dec, 1876, aged 
81 years, 7 months, and 16 days. 

In 1855, the degree of d. d. was conferred on him by Marietta 



422 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

college. He married, 1st, Lucy, daughter of Capt. Joseph Ger- 
rish, of Canterbury, K. H., 1 June, 1826, who died 5 Oct., 1834 ; 
2d, Ann Dorothy, daughter of Hon. T. M. Thompson, of Gran- 
ville, Ohio, 23 March, 1836. Four children, — one son by his first 
and two sons and a daughter by his second marriage, — are now liv- 
ing, the three sons being ministers of the Presbyterian church. 
(See Gen.) 

MACUEDY, DAVID A., CAPT., 

Enlisted as a private, with his brother Matthew, 11 Aug., 1862, 
in the 14th Regiment [for movements of which see Adjutant-Gen- 
eral's Eeport, state of New Hampshire]. During the fall and 
winter the regiment was on duty at AVashington and along the 
Potomac, picketing the river for a distance of forty miles, endur- 
ing great hardships. The summer of 1863 was passed in doing 
guard duty from Harper's Perry to Portress Monroe. In the 
spring of 1864, the regiment was ordered to the Department of 
the GuK, and came near being shipwrecked on the voyage to New 
Orleans. After a short service on the Mississippi, the regiment 
returned to the Potomac, and was ordered to the Shenandoah, 
joining Sheridan's corps, Aug. 18. 

On the 19th of Sept. occurred the battle of Perryville. The reg- 
iment was on the march at 2 A. M. The artillery fire began be- 
fore daylight, but the battle did not become general till 11 o'clock 
in the forenoon. The 14th N. H. was on the extreme right of 
Sheridan's infantry line. The advance of the Union troops was 
so impetuous that the enemy were driven at every point, but in 
the ardor of pursuit the line became confused. The artillery of 
the enemy opened with deadly effect. The order was given to 
fall back. While the movement was being executed, Capt. Ma- 
curdy's younger brother, Matthew, was instantly killed, and 
the captain himself (then lieutenant) wounded. The loss to 
the regiment was thirteen officers and one hundred and thirty 
privates killed and wounded. After his wound had healed, Capt. 
Macurdy rejoiijed his regiment, which was ordered to Savannah 
1 Jan., 1865, where it remained till the close of the war. Capt. 
Macurdy was commissioned first lieutenant 27 May, 1864 ; pro- 
moted to captaincy 22 Nov., 1864 ; and mustered out 8 July, 1865. 
He has been honored by his fellow-citizens with the offices of 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 423 

selectman and representative [see Town Officers]. He lias fol- 
lowed the occupation of trader in Webster, Concord, and again in 
Webster. 

MOKRILL, ROBIE, REV. , 

The second minister of Boscawen was Rev. Eobie Morrill, son 
of Abraham Morrill, of Salisbury, Mass. [see Gen.], where he was 
born 28 Aug., 1734, the year in which the first band of settlers 
reared their log cabins in Contoocook. He graduated at Harvard, 
1755, studied theology, and was ordained minister 29 Dec, 1761. 
He preached about five years, and then, owing to some disaffec- 
tion [see Civil Hist.], resigned his ministerial office. He never 
again engaged in preaching, but became a teacher, and taught 
many years during the closing decades of the last century. He 
was a useful citizen, a gentleman of the old school, punctilious 
in dress, yielding never to the changes of fashion, but wearing to 
the close of life his wig, his black silk stockings, silver shoe and 
knee buckles. He was small of stature, and was bald-headed, but 
the loss of hair was supplied by a wig and cue, which the roguish- 
ly inclined, roystering school-boys had the temerity to dandle at 
times, not unfrequeiitly paying for it with aching palms. 

Rev. Mr. Morrill was erratic in his ways. Tradition reports 
that he once selected for his text the pronoun " it ;" that once 
he astonished his congregation by exclaiming, — "There goes a 
mouse ! " But if erratic, he was possessed of a rich vein of humor. 
Some of tlie members of his congregation not unfrequently fell 
asleep during his long-drawn sermon, and disturbed the preacher 
by their snoring. On a Sunday Mrs. Morrill dropped asleep, 
whereupon her husband paused in his preaching and thus ad- 
dressed one of his wakeful hearers : " My friend, won't you please 
punch that man who snores so loud, for if he goes on at that rate 
he will wake up my wife." 

Mr. Morrill erected the house now standing near the site of the 
ancient fort, the oldest framed house in the town. He was a man 
of sterling character, and in the formative period, during the Rev- 
olutionary war and the first years of the republic, when society 
and political institutions were undergoing a change, his influence 
was ever on the right side. He died in 1813, greatly respected 
by his fellow-citizens. 



424 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



MOODY, PHEBE K., MRS. 

Phebe Knight, daughter of Caleb Knight, came to Boscawen 
with her father in 1792, from Newbi;ry, Mass. She was employed 
as a school-teacher, — one of the few female teachers of the last 
century. She was united in marriage to Nicholas Moody, who 
resided in a secluded locality west of Little hill. Mrs. Moody, 
though bound down by the prosaic occupations of a farmer's 
household, and cut off from associations generally deemed neces- 
sary to literary culture, found time to throw off, now and then, a 
poetical effusion for her friends. At the close of the last century 
there were few newspapers, and fewer magazines ; nevertheless 
some of her poetical scraps found their way into print, and were 
greatly admired. She was endowed with native poetic talent of a 
high order, a delicate appreciation of the beautiful, and rare fa- 
cility of expression, as will be seen by the few fragments that 
have been preserved : 

POETICAL EPISTLE TO A YOUNG FRIEND. 
Dear Miss : 

Your friend has requested a letter for you, 

But at present I Icnow not what theme to pursue, 

Unless of my dwelling I give you a view. 

I'm of the earth, earthly; and therefore my mind 

To things of small moment is mostly inclined. 

My time and my tlioughts are employ'd in my dairy. 

Though sometimes I scribble when of tliat I'm weary. 

My writing, you'll notice, is none of tlie best. 

Though perhaps not so coarse as my genius and taste. 

But enough of this preface : I now will proceed 

To draw you a landscape if you it can read. 

In this lonely vale, half a mile from the road, 

Shut out from the world, is my rural abode. 

A mile to tlie west you may houses discern ; 

But here quite alone stand my cottage and barn ; 

And around it are sporting the flocks and the herds, 

The turkeys and chickens, the squirrels and birds. 

And here is my garden, but we'll pass and not heed it; 

Like my heart, 'tis uncultured— I've neglected to weed it. 

But the fields and the orchards, that ask not my care, 

Ai'e teeming with good fruit, and look very fair. 

See yonder the ridge and the wood-cover'd hill, 

And down in the hollow there ripples a rill ; 

In pleasing meanders it plays through the wood, 

Till it meets and unites in a neighboring flood. 

The wide-spreading meadow, the sweet-flowing fountain. 

The tall dusky forest, the high lofty mountain. 

The steep craggy rock, and the grove and the brook, — 

The prospect is pleasant wherever you look. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 425 

On all sides are blooming the beauties of spring ; 
Clad with corn and with clover, the vales shout and sing; 
The sweet-scented briers that deck this green bud, 
The soft fragrant zephyrs that play round my head, 
Tlie sweet little songsters that carol above. 
All, all I have uam'd are the offspring of love ! 

Our God's name is Love, and love is his nature. 
He rules us, he governs all worlds and each creature. 
Whatever he formed his goodness protects. 
And his tender mercies are o'er all his works. 
But man is his best lov'd, man's nature he took; 
That wonderful story we read in his Book, — 
How for us he suffer'd, obey'd, liv'd, and died, 
To make of us, rebels, his children and bride. 

And now to this Jesus, whose name we adore, 

Be blessing, and honor, and glory, and power: 

To Jesus — Jehovah, the Ancient of Days — 

Be blessing, and honor, and glory, and praise. , 

Two natures united in our dearest Lord, 

For the Word was made flesh, and the Word it was God. 

He's God in tlie Father and God in the Son, 

And God in the Spirit, and these three are one ! 

Oh, wonders on wonders ! what myst'ry is here ! 

What heights and what depths in our Jesus appear! 

The Creator and creature in unison join : 

How blest are the branches of Jesus the vine ! 

What though modern Pliarisees say he's not God, 

And treat with indignity our dearest Lord, — 

Yet, yet it is written, that Jesus the Lamb, 

Is God over all, the eternal I Am. 

Seducers are saying, lo ! liere, and lo ! there 

Is Jesus the Saviour, but let us beware; 

For, though these false teacliers will many deceive, 

Our Jesus forbids us their lies to believe. 

The things are f ultilling that Jesus foretold, 

The signs of his coming we clearly behold ; 

False Christs and false prophets now swarm all around, 

And faith uncorrupted is scarce to be found ; 

Of blaspliemous errors, behold what a flood ! 

Denying the Saviour, who bought them with blood ! 

But Jesus will come in his glory ere long. 

And by his own power will silence each tongue 

That now speaks against him, perverting his word: 

On such daring sinner have mercy, dear Lord! 

MY COTTAGE. 

In this retreat, remote and still, 

My fav'rite solitude I find; 
This little cot beneath the hill 

H,aa charms congenial to my mind. 

How gracious, Heaven, art thou to me. 

In answ'ring thus my early prayers ; 
From youth I ever wished to be 

Far from the world and all its cares. 



426 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Far from the world of noise and strife, 
With quiet here I'll pass uiy days ; 

In this sequester'd vale of life, 
I've found that peace which ne'er decays. 

And from this humble shade ere long, 
To heaven, my home, I hope to rise, 

Borne on the balmy wings of love, 
To fairer mansions in the skies. 

There Jesus sits, that God of love ! 

His glorious throne 's exalted high ; 
Though once he groan'd and bled and died 

To save such guilty worms as I. 

And is it not worth dying for, 
To see my Heavenly Father's face. 

Who sav'd me from destruction's jaws, 
And bid me seek superior bliss? 

A FRAGMENT. 

THE PEN. 

"How great is my use !" cries the quill of a goose; 

" Who duly my merits appraise? 
My praises resound the world all around, 

I make even fools to be wise." 

THE NEEDLE. 

" Hold ! liold ! prating goose, for I'm of most use, 

Although I am shorter and slimmer ; 
By my little head many thousands are fed. 

Whilst your scribble won't purchase a dinner." 

THE WHEEL. 

" And what were your head were it not for my thread ? 
So, then, independent Miss Steel, 
Just acknowledge thy due to the wheel." 

THE LOOM. 

"And what were your worth were it not for my cloth?" 

The loom, looking largely, replied. 
"Both needle and thread might beg for their bread. 

If I did not keep them employed." 

THE AXE. 

Mr. Axe raised his head, and to them he said,— 

" Come, yield the precedence to me ; 
For to me you must know your being you owe. 

For I hewed you out of the tree." 

In this dispute among the tools. 
We see how much we look like fools 
AVhen pride begins to swell and rise, 
And makes us great in our own eyes. 
Shall human tools contend with God, 
And boast as if they were no wood ? 
We are his clay, formed by his hand, 
For his own use, at his command. 
Let not curst pride our hearts deceive, 
For what have we we've not received? 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 42T 

PEAKSON, NATHAN, 

Son of Nathan Pearson, was born in Boscawen, 22 Sept., 1802. 
He had no special advantages for obtaining an education, being 
limited to the meagre instruction furnished by the district school. 
He married Eliza Couch, daughter of John Couch, of Salisbury, 
and settled on the homestead now owned by Ephraim Little. 
Mr. Pearson was a man of few words, who did his own thinking, 
and was independent in his opinions. He was a good friend 
and citizen, a constant attendant upon public worship, and en- 
deavored to supply, by reading and observation, the lack of oppor- 
tunities for education in his early years. He was elected select- 
man in 1841 and 1842, and representative in 1843 and 1844. 
Upon the division of the town, he was elected chairman of the 
board of selectmen for Webster. He died 8 Oct., 1868. 

PECKER, J. E., COL., 

Por several years a citizen of Boscawen, is a son of the late Jere- 
miah Pecker, Jr., and great grandson of Capt, John Chandler, 
and was born in East Concord, 28 May, 1838. He attended the 
Franklin Hall school in Concord, and graduated from tlie Chand- 
dler Scientific Department of Dartmouth college in 1858. Sub- 
sequently he engaged in teaching, and for a number of years was 
principal of the Eisherville high school. He then read law, but 
abandoned the idea of that profession to become a correspondent 
and reporter of the Boston Journal, upon which paper he has 
been regularly employed since 1862. 

In 1865 he was historian in the military department of the 
state government, and aided largely in the preparation of the 
extended reports issued that year by the adjutant-general. 

He is now manager of the New Hampshire News Bureau of 
the Boston Journal^ having charge of its interests in this state. 
As a newspaper correspondent, he has travelled extensively in 
Canada and the provinces, and in the Western and Southern 
states. 

In 1877 he was commissioned aide-de-camp on the military staff 
of Gov. Prescott, with the rank of colonel. He is biographical 
secretary of the Chandler Alumni Association of Dartmouth 
college. 



428 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

PETERSON, DAXIEL, M. D. 

The first physician in Boscawen was Dr. Daniel Peterson, who 
built the house afterwards occupied by Benjamin Oak and by 
James West as a hotel, and now occupied by Mr. Dow. He 
moved into town about 1770, and was a surgeon in the Bennington 
and other campaigns. He was a physician of the old school ; — 
indeed, there was no other school. Bleeding, blistering, cup- 
pings, calomel, and jalop were its characteristics. The " school " 
believed in an active treatment. 

Dr. Peterson had an extensive practice in Boscawen, Salisburj^, 
Sanbornton, Canterbury, Warner, Wilmot, and other towns, rid- 
ing as far north as Haverhill, always on horseback, with his sad- 
dle-bags stuffed with medicines. 

He married a sister of Nathaniel Greene, Esq., and was uncle to 
the late Senator Fessenden. 

One of his fellow-physicians was Dr. Long, of Hopkinton. 
Together Drs. Peterson and Long rode to Haverhill, N. H., and 
were present at the execution of a negro who had committed a 
heinous crime, and who had sold his body to the two physicians 
for dissection. Dr. Long skinned the body after the execution, had 
the skin tanned, and a pair of boots made from it. Dr. Peterson, 
from his service in the army, became widely known, and was 
regarded as one of the best surgeons of his time. 

PILLSBURY, JOSEPH L., COL., 

Son of Dea. Joseph and Martha (Little) Pillsbury, was born in 
Boscawen, N. H., 10 Feb., 1829. At the age of twelve years he 
accomp^,nied his father to Pennsylvania, where he spent one sum- 
mer with a surveying party, acting as chain-bearer. He was 
not a robust youth, but life in the woods improved his health, 
and he early matured to a vigorous manhood. 

At the age of sixteen he displayed a military spirit, making 
himself familiar with tactics and drill exercises. At eighteen he 
was captain, and at twenty-one was colonel of the 21st N. H. Regi- 
ment. He commenced the study of medicine, which he soon af- 
ter abandoned, and in 1851 went to Pittsburgh, where for about 
three years he acted as paymaster of the Ohio & Pennsylvania 
Railroad. Possessing a mathematical and scientific mind, he 




1^_ 




<^ . 







BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 429 

qualified himself for the duties of civil engineer, which calling 
he followed for about twenty years. 

In 1854 Col. Pillsbury commenced as contractor and builder of 
railroads in the South and West, doing an extensive business 
on the Mobile & Girard, Fort Wayne & Chicago, and also on a 
road running west from Dubuque, Iowa. Associated with him in 
part of these contracts was his brother, Henry W. Pillsbury. 

Subsequently Col. Pillsbury was engaged in the oil business 
in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, where a number of oil 
wells were bored by him. He was also superintendent of the 
Deep Oil Mining Company, in northern Ohio. 

Col. Pillsbury excelled as a hydraulic engineer. His first im- 
portant work in this direction was the building of the Canton 
(Ohio) water-works, in 1869, '70. He was also advising hydravilic 
engineer for various cities in the West. 

The last great labor of his life was at Columbus, Ohio, where 
in 1870 he was employed as chief engineer to su^^ply that cap- 
ital with water from the Scioto river. During the progress of this 
enterprise his health was seriously impaired, and soon after its 
successful completion he returned with his son and daughter to 
Boscawen, where he died, 10 Jan., 1874. 

Col. Pillsbury was a man of positive character, indomitable en- 
ergy, and of great nobility and kindness of heart. In writing, he 
had the happy faculty of exjiressing himself Avith fluency, and 
to the point. From his youth he was an extensive reader 
of books that required thought, whether in j)oetry or prose ; was a 
diligent student, and greatly interested in mechanical and scien- 
tific pursuits. In the study of geology he took great delight, and 
in this, as well as in other departments of science, his mind was 
a rich storehouse of useful and interesting facts. He invented 
several valuable improvements pertaining to his various fields 
of labor, and secured a patent on a hydrant for city water-works. 

Col. Pillsbury was an active and esteemed member of the Epis- 
copal church, at Canton, Ohio, and was always ready to do his 
part in every good word and work. He married, 18 May, 1854, 
Mary Anna Ely, of Wooster, Ohio, daughter of Col. Daniel Ely, 
of Owego, K. Y. She died at Delaware, Ohio, 18 Aug., 1867. 
[See Gen.] 



430 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



PILLSBURY, MOODY A., GEJf. 

Gen. Moody Adams Pillsbury, son of Daniel and Eunice 
(Thorla) Pillsbury, was born in Boscawen, 4 May, 1794. His 
educational advantages, like those of most boys of his time, were 
those of the district school. Upon arriving at his majority he 
settled in Bashan, upon the farm where he lived through life, 
giving more attention to his saw-mill than to his farm. Bashan 
was a new section, densely timbered, and his mills became a 
source of profit. 

He became an officer in the militia, was colonel of the 21st 
Eegiment for several years, and rose to the rank of brigadier- 
general. 

Gen. Pillsbury took an active interest in the events of his 
time. He was a constant attendant upon the public religious ser- 
vices of the Sabbath, gave liberally to the support of benevolent 
objects, and was long a member of the church. He was one of 
the first to espouse anti-slavery principles, and gave to the 
cause of freedom his whole heart. He was a kind neighbor, a 
friend to the poor, and a genial companion. He married, first, 
Miss Rachel Dix, sister of Gen. John A. Dix ; second. Miss Louisa 
Frances Dix, her sister. He died 8 Jan., 1863. 

PILLSBURY, GEORGE T., 

Son of Daniel Pillsbury, was born in the house now occupied by 
Miss Sarah Pillsbury, on Water street. He learned his father's 
trade — that of carpenter — and built the house near the school- 
house, on Little hill, where he resided a few 3'ears. He erected many 
buildings in Concord, and began the erection of the South Congre- 
gational meeting-house in that town in 1835, in partnership with 
Capt. Wm. Abbott. He received an injury in one of his legs, 
which was followed by mortification and death in 1836. He was 
a man of decided convictions, and active in all matters relat- 
ing to religion and temperance. He was elected deacon of the 
church in Webster, to succeed Dea. Enoch Little, 2d. His 
death cast a gloom upon the community, and his funeral was 
notably one of the largest ever attended in Webster. He died 
as he had lived, in the full triumph of Christian faith. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 431 

PRICE, EBENEZER, REV., 

The first pastor of the Congregational cliureli in Webster, was 
born in Newburyport, 14 Sept., 1771, and was the youngest child 
of William Price [see Gen.]. His parents, from his birth, de- 
signed that he should receive a collegiate education. He began 
his preparatory studies at the age of seventeen, in Moore's Charity 
School, Hanover, then under the tuition of Rev. Daniel Dana. He 
entered Dartmouth in 1789, and graduated in 1793. His sister 
had married Rev. Mr. Hidden, of Tamworth, with whom he passed 
several months after graduating, where he made a public profes- 
sion of religion, 24 Aug., 1794. Deciding to enter the ministry, 
he placed himself under the theological instruction of Rev. Elihu 
Thayer, d. d., of Kingston. He was licensed to preach, January, 
1795, by the Deerfield association of ministers, and began his labor 
as a minister of the gospel in Belfast, Me., March, 1796, and was 
ordained pastor of the church in that place on the 26th of Decem- 
ber following. He was married 20 Jan., 1799, to Miss Lucy 
Farrer. eldest daughter of Humphrey and Lucy Farrer, of Hano- 
ver, ]Sr. H. He remained in Belfast till the 22d of September, 
1802, a period of six years. 

The burning of the meeting-house at the east end of Bos- 
cawen, the refusal of the town to build a second edifice, and the 
erection of a building by a society on the Plain, brought about an 
abnormal state of affairs. The town owned the frame at the 
West end, and individuals owned the pews. There was no church 
or society. At the invitation of the citizens of this section, 
Mr. Price began his labors. His preaching was followed by a 
manifest increase of attention to religion on the part of the 
people. The Westerly Religious Society was organized in Janu- 
ary, 1804, and a church of eight members formed the 10th of 
September following. Mr. Price accepted a call to become their 
pastor, and was installed on the 26th of September. He main- 
tained this pastoral relation thirty-three years, the connection 
being dissolved by mutual council, 10 May, 1837. 

During his pastorate, there were several marked seasons of 
religious interest. The whole number added to the church dur- 
ing his pastorate was 262. The greatest number in any one year 
was 60, in 1838. The greatest number of members on the church 
rolls at any one period was 198. 



432 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Mr. Price continued to reside in the town, and became superin- 
tendent of the Sahbath-school, which position he held for eleven 
years. 

Upon the formation of the Granite Mutual Fire Insurance Co., 
he was elected secretary, which office he held till he removed to 
Boston, in 1859, to live with his eldest son, Ebenezer Sewell Price, 
where he died in 1863, aged 92. 

He took a lively interest in every benevolent or other move- 
ment looking to the welfare of the community. He was a genial 
man, a perfect gentleman, respecting the rights of all, and exceed- 
ingly courteous. He dignified his office as a minister of the gos- 
pel, and adorned it by an exemplary life. Those most prejudiced 
against religion could find no word of fault against it on account 
of any dereliction of duty on his part. Being one of the super- 
intending school committee from 1809 to 1835, he became ac- 
quainted with nearly all the children in town ; and if they stood 
in awe of him on account of his official position, they learned to 
love and respect the man who placed his hands on their heads 
so benignantly, smiled so genially, and overlooked their short- 
comings in the kindness of his nature. 

He was fond of riding on horseback, and no gentleman of the 
old school ever sat more gracefully than he in the saddle. 

He was settled in town at a time when liberty gave place to 
license, when there was an uprising of some of the worst elements 
in society; and in the middle period of his ministry came the 
struggle for possession of the West meeting-house. But those 
who dissented from his religious opinions respected him as a man, 
and welcomed him heartily to their homes. His influence was 
ever on the side of law and order, justice and right. After his 
retirement from the ministry, his fellow-citizens manifested their 
regard for him by twice electing him to represent them in the 
legislature. 

In 1820 Mr. Price collected materials for a chronological his- 
tory of the town. Much of his information in regard to the 
early settlement of the tow-n Avas obtained from George Jack- 
man, Esq., and from conversation with the oldest inhabitants. 
It was printed in 1823, by Jacob B. Moore, of Concord. The 
town appropriated fifty dollars as compensation. It was pub- 
lished by private subscription. His sermons preached at the 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 433 

funeral of Dea. Benjamin Sweatt, and upon the cleatli of Rev. Dr. 
Wood, were published by request. He was the author of the let- 
ter to Hon. Daniel Webster, which elicited his reply to his iSTew 
Hampshire neighbors. The letter and repl}^ are to be found in ■ 
the published cori-espondence of Mr. Webster. 

His relations to the church and society, and especially to his 
successor in the ministry, Rev. Edward Buxton, were always frater- 
nal and helpful. As a pastor, he was ever mindful of the wants 
of his people, sympathizing with them in their bereavements and 
afflictions, and entering as heartily into all their joys. He was so 
mindful of all classes, that in his public prayers " the aged, the 
middle-aged, the young, the youth, the infants," were all remem- 
bered. His desire to leave nothing undone, to neglect no class, 
to fill the full measure of his own responsibility, not infrequently 
made his prayers and sermons of u:ndue length. On special occa- 
sions his prayers sometimes exceeded his sermons in length, occu- 
pying from fifty to seventy minutes. 

In this respect he did not stand alone. In tlie ministry at that 
period, brevity was the exception, length the rule. At the begin- 
ning of the century, people expected a service to occupy at least 
two hours. During the short days of winter, those who lived 
farthest from meeting sometimes saw the sun disappear behind 
the Warner hills before they reached home. Nor were they rest- 
less under a sermon that occupied an hour in the delivery. They 
expected a long sermon, and would have found fault with the 
brevity of the sermon of the present day. 

His last years were marked by serene peace and composure. He 
was an attendant at Mount Vernon church, in Boston, and listened 
with delight to the preaching of Rev. Dr. Kirlc, who looked upon 
him as a father in the ministry. His influence for good never 
can be measured, for under his preaching such men as Rev. 
Enoch Corser, and Revs. Jacob and Henry Little, were led to 
enter the ministry ; and through their instrumentality thousands 
have been brought to a religious life. 

The night before his death. Father Price called his son Sewell 
and wife to his bedside, and, taking their hands in his, thanked 
them for their continued kindness to him, and trusted tliat in 
their last days they might be cared for as tenderly. Sewell asked 
his father how he felt in regard to death. '' Oh ! that was all fixed 
28 



434 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 

years and years ago. I committed myself into the hands of my 
Maker : he has taken care of me hitherto, and I liave no fears for 
the future." 

Rev. Jacob Little, in a sermon preached in Granville, Ohio, 
and published in the Church Union, 20 May, 1876, thus alludes 
to Rev. Mr. Price : 

" * * A good man never dies. His good works follow 
him, and he lives in them. 

" Ready to return from a New England visit, I called to say good-by 
to my pastor, who had outlived his years of preaching. With tearful 
eyes he said, — ' I shall never see you again. You will again visit your 
friends, but before that time I shall die.' Wishing to cheer him, I re- 
plied, — ' Mr. Price, you will never die. I have received from you doc- 
trines, precepts, feelings, and ways of doing good, and in central Ohio 
am impressing them on a great people. Sabbath teachers and preach- 
ers are coming up in my congregation to scatter what I have received 
from your lips, and pass it to the next generation. In Indiana, Bro. 
Henry is doing the same thing on a larger scale, and so are others who 
have gone from your congregation. What you have taught by exam 
pie and precept is spreading wider and wider, and going to the second 
and third generations, and will ever keep going, so that you will never 
die.' " 

ROGERS, JOHN, M. D. 

Maj. William Rogers was born in Newbury, Mass., 1741, and 
married Abigail Worth of the same town. He was a lineal de- 
scendant of John Rogers, who was burned at the stake in Smith- 
field in 1555. He was drowned at the mouth of Merrimack river, 
25 Sept., 1786. They had five children. 

John was born 24 May, 1787, at jSTewburyport, Mass. His 
mother married Moody Chase, and moved to Chester, E". H. 
Before preparing for college, he learned the art of dressing cloth 
of William Hesalton, of Suncook. He graduated at Dartmouth, 
1816, studied medicine with Dr. Chadbourne, of Concord, grad- 
uated from the Medical Department of Dartmouth college in 
1819, commenced the practice of medicine in Chester, and re- 
moved to Boscawen in 1821 or 1822. He lived in the large dwell- 
ing-house (shown in the cut) near the church, where he practised 
medicine until his death, 5 Jan., 1830. He married Sarah, 
daughter of Caleb Knight, of Boscawen, in May, 1825. Their 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 435 

children were, — Sarah, born 23 Sejjt., 1826, married W. H. Har- 
low, of Everett, Mass. ; John, born 23 Sept., 1826, died Sep- 
tember, 1828 ; Abbie, born 6 Feb., 1828, who resides with her 
sister. 

SAKGEXT, WALTER H., 

Son of Isaac and Rebecca (Farnum) Sargent, was born in Bos- 
cawen in 1825. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. D, 14th N. H. Eegi- 
ment, was appointed sergeant, and on account of a fracture of one 
of his legs was appointed recruiting officer, and enlisted fourteen 
soldiers from Webster and vicinity. The regiment was on duty 
along the Potomac during the fall and winter of 1862-3, and he 
was detailed at Georgetown to prevent the smuggling of liquor 
and other contraband articles into camp, a position requiring the 
closest scrutiny and circumspection. 

From Georgetown he was detailed with fifty-seven men to do 
guard duty at the old capitol prison. It was in midsummer. The 
officers and soldiers were ordered to appear at all times in regula- 
tion dress, an order of the regulation martinet, who sacrificed the 
health of the detachment to sustain military red-tape. Broken 
down in health, Lieut. Sargent was ordered to New Hampshire 
upon recruiting service, where he remained till the last of January, 
1864. 

While on duty near Harper's Ferry he fell upon the ice and 
injured one of his legs — one that had previously been broken — 
which became exceedingly painful. While suffering from the 
fall, he commanded a scouting party of twenty men, reconnoiter- 
ing the country as far south as Snicker's Gap. 

On the 20tli of March, 1864, the regiment sailed from New 
York, on steamer Daniel Webster, for New Orleans. The vessel 
came near foundering in a terrific storm, which carried away 
wheel-houses and bulwarks. The steam-pipe burst. The steamer, 
however, reached Hilton Head, was refitted, and the regiment 
finally reached Carrollton, a suburb of New Orleans, Aj)ril 12. 
After service on the Mississippi the regiment returned to Fortress 
Monroe, joined the army under Gen. Grant at Petersburg, was 
joined to the 14th Army Corps, sent to the Shenandoah, and was 
in the battle of Perryville, in the thick of the fight. The regi- 
ment charged across an open field, driving the enemy. A rebel 



436 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

fired at Lieut. Sargent from behind, a tree, Liit missed him ; where- 
upon Lieut. Sargent rushed ujjon him, and the man threw down 
his gun, and surrendered. A second rebel drew up his gun to 
fire, but a stroke from the lieutenant's sword induced him to 
change his mind, and both were brought into the lines prisoners. 
In the retreat which the regiment was compelled to make, Lieut, 
Sargent was knocked down by a piece of shell. In the melee 
which followed the charge of the enemy, he was wounded in the 
arm, Avhile a second bullet struck him above the right eye. His 
clothes were riddled, and he fell forward upon his face. The 
enemy rushed over him. A rebel surgeon came to take his sword. 
Lieut. Sargent gave him his revolver, but refused to surrender 
liis sword except to an officer of tlie line. The surgeon took him 
to a major, and the sword was given up. 

With other prisoners he was taken up the Shenandoah valley. 
Watching an opportunity he secreted himself in the bushes at 
night, but was discovered. He ran through a piece of woods, 
gained the river, plunged in, dived beneath a pile of drift-wood, 
and managed to get his head above the water amid the brush, but 
was discovered and delivered to the provost guard. He was close- 
ly watched. From being chilled he came near dying, but was 
compelled to march day after day. He had nothing to eat for 
several days except raw corn, and a bit of bread which a rebel 
officer gave him from his own rations. His arm was fearfully 
swollen, and his lame leg was exceedingly painful, Avhile his feet 
were worn to the bone. He could go no farther. His guard or- 
dered him to move on, and stated that his orders were to shoot 
him if he did not move. " I shall not move, and you will not dare 
to shoot me," was the fearless reply. The soldier cocked his gun 
and levelled it, but did not dare to fire. He was put in an ambu- 
lance, taken to Libby prison, and endured its horrors till 7 Oct., 
when he was paroled. On the 15th of January' following, he was 
honorably discharged. 

Lieut. Sargent resides in Bridgewater, N. H. He is fond of 
hunting, and is renowned for his success in that line. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 437 



SHEPARD, FOREST, PROF. 

Prof. Forest Sliepard, son of Daniel and Ann (Forest) Shep- 
ard, was born in Boscawen, 31 Oct., 1800. He graduated at 
Dartmoutli college, 1827, and studied theology at New Haven. 

Prof. Sliepard early manifested a love for science, especially 
geology and mineralogy. He lias been connected with the vari- 
ous geological surveys of the United States and Canada, and his 
observations have been extended over a large area. In Canada 
he explored the region occupied by the Hudson's Bay Company. 
He has visited England, and made the acquaintance of the scien- 
tists of that country. His explorations have been extended to 
Panama, Cuba, New Grenada, Mexico, and California. He has 
made many important discoveries of mines. He has filled the 
chair of natural science at Western Reserve college, Hudson, Ohio, 
and at other institutions. He married Miss Sophia W. Storer, of 
Rutland, Vt. His present residence is in Connecticut. 

STONE, PETER. 

Dea. Peter Stone, son of George and Hannah (Lovering) Stone, 
was born in Boscawen, 19 Dec, 1799, and has always resided upon 
the old homestead. He married Ruth Call, daughter of Silas Call, 
of Boscawen. He was an active member and officer of the Cln-is- 
tian church and society, while that denomination maintained pub- 
lic worship, and when emigration and change made it impossible 
longer to sustain a church of his order, with a catholic spirit he 
became an attendant upon the Congregational church. He has 
been an exceedingly industrious man, laboring early and late, not 
compelled by necessity, but doing it as a duty and pleasure, carry- 
ing into his daily life the scriptural injunction, *' Whatsoever thy 
hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." 

STONE, FREDERICK P., CAPT. 

Capt. Frederick P. Stone, son of Peter, was born 24 March, 
1841. He remained on his father's farm until the breaking out 
of the war, when he enlisted in the cavalry [see Military Hist.], 
Co. 1, 17 Dec, 18G1. He was promoted to first sergeant 1 March, 
1863, reenlisted 5 June, 1864, promoted to first lieutenent Co. D, 



438 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



15 April, 1864, and captain 10 June, 1865. 
lowing engagements : 

Warrenton Junction, 

Rappahannock, 

Cedar Mountain, 

North Rappahannock, 

Catlett station, 

Rappahannock station, 

Sulphur spring, 

Groveton, 

Second Bull Run, 

Chantilly, 

White's Ford, 

Mountville, 

Hazel Run, 

Fredericksburg. 

Hartwood church, 

Rapidan river, 

Ellis ford. 

Brandy station, 

Middlebury, 

Warrenton, 

Auburn, 

Bristow station. 



He ^Yas in the fol- 



16 April, 


1862, 


18 " 


" 


9 Aug., 


ii 


21 '"' 


it 


23 " 


ti 


26 " 


ii 


28 " 


a 


30 " 


a 


1 Sept., 


u 


12 Oct., 


u 


31 " 


u 


16 Nov., 


(1 


13 Dec, 


a 


25 Feb., 


1863. 


1 May, 


<( 


4 " 


u 


9 June, 


" 


17 '' 


it 


12 Oct., 


ii 


14 " 


(( 


14 " 


(( 



Some of these engagements were between small parties, others 
where the enemy was in force. At Groveton, a valuable horse 
which Capt. Stone had taken from Boscaw^en was shot beneath 
him. At Chantilly he was near Gen. Kearney when he fell. At 
Mountville he was one of six that escaped, out of a party of sixty 
that w^ere captured. At Middlebury, which was one of the sharp 
cavalry engagements of the war, he was taken prisoner and im- 
mured in Libby prison, Richmond, and at Belle Isle was kept in 
durance thirty-five days. 

After his reenlistment his regiment w-as attached to Sheri- 
dan's command in the valley of the Shenandoah. At the battle 
of Winchester, fought 21 Sept., 1864, he was again captured, 
was again sent to Libby, thence to Salisbury, N. C, and thence 
to Danville, Va., in all, five months. He reached Washing- 
ton in season to join the corjps that hunted down the assassins 




ry,^..,^ /P c/^^^^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



439 



who were engaged in the plot to murder President Lincohi and 
Secretary Seward. 

He was mustered out of service 15 July, 1865, was married to 
Miss Lovilla Sanborn, daughter of Joseph K. Sanborn, of Web- 
ster, and sailed for California 22 Oct., 1865, since which time he 
has been connected with the great publishing house of Bancroft & 
Co., of San Francisco, holding a position of honor and profit, en- 
joying in a great degree the confidence of his employers, and the 
respect of his fellow-citizens. 

SULLIVAN, MARIAN M., MRS. 

She was daughter of Col. Timothy Dix. After his death she 
moved to Littleton, Mass., where she married John W. Sullivan, 
Esq., a merchant of Boston. During her early married life she 
wrote for the press, particularly for the New England Magazine, 
and for Mrs. Hale's Ladies' Magazine. She early gave her at- 
tention to music, and became a teacher of the piano-forte and guitar, 
and a composer of ballads. The " Blue Juniata " and the " Field 
of Monterey " became immensely popular. Her genius for musi- 
cal composition led to the publishing of two volumes of music, — 
the "Juniata Ballads" and "Bible Songs." 

Not merely as a writer and composer will she be remembered, 
but as a woman of rare virtues, — sweet, gentle, sympathetic, quick 
in her perceptions of the beautiful in nature, keenly alive to want 
and suffering, ever ready to aid where help and sympathy were 
needed, visiting the homes of the poor, caring for the widow ai;id 
orphan. By such virtues as these she endeared herself to all. Her 
death occurred in 1860. 

SMITH, AMBROSE, REV., 

Was born in Ossipee July 9, 1820, son of John and Sally (Am- 
brose) Smith. He graduated at Dartmouth, 1845, studied theol- 
ogy at Andover, graduating there in 1849. He was ordained as a 
minister at Northfield, 9 Jul}^, 1850, and was installed at Bos- 
cawen, 15 June, 1853. He died in office, greatly beloved by his 
people. His style was clear, forcible, and impressive. He had 
great excellence of character, and his loss was deeply felt. He 
married Cynthia Maria Edgerton, of Hartford, Vt. 



440 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



WEBSTER, JOHN, CAPT. 

One of the proprietors of Boscawen, Capt. John Webster, was 
from Kingston. His name frequently appears on the proprietors' 
records. He took an active part in promoting their interests. 
When the Indian troubles broke out, in 1745, he joined Capt. 
John Chandler's company, and scouted around Penacook and 
Contoocook, in midwinter, from 21 Jan. to 16 Feb. 

He enlisted in Capt. John Goffe's company, 1 Jan., 1746, and 
was in service till the 7th of April. Dea. Jesse Flanders, John 
Flanders, Jr., and Wm. Corser enlisted in the same comj^any in 
March. They scoured the woods all the country round. 

In 1748 he was lieutenant of Cajit. Goffe's company from 28 
May to 5 Oct. The company consisted of 54 men, and kept a 
vigilant watch of the frontier. 

In 1754 began -what is known as the French and Indian war. 
The Indians began hostilities by capturing Nathaniel Meloon's 
family at West Stevenstown. Gov. Wentworth at once ordered 
out a company, and gave the command to John Webster, whose 
energy, efficiency, and experience admirably fitted him for the 
place. His command consisted of twenty men, who served about 
six weeks, — returning home 24 July. The next week the Indians 
killed Mrs. Call in East Stevenstown (Franklin), and Gov. Went- 
worth ordered out a full company of sixty-two men, under Capt. 
Blanchard, to do service in the Merrimack valley. This enabled 
Capt. Webster and his men to rest. 

In 1755 New Hampshire sent a regiment of six hundred 
men, under Col. Joseph Blanchard, of Dunstable, against Crown 
Point. In this expedition Capt. Webster served as a pi-ivate in 
Capt. Joseph Eastman's company. This was the regiment that 
made its rendezvous on the Webster farm at South Franklin, and 
built boats to pass up the Merrimack river and into the Connecti- 
cut by water, so little was the countiy between the two rivers 
known. It finally marched across the state to No. 4, and then to 
Albany and Crown Point. 

The next year, 1756, another expedition was sent against Crown 
Point, and the energetic John AVebster enlisted, — this time in 
Capt. Doe's company. Col. Meserve, of Portsmouth, commanded 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 441 

the regiment. He enlisted 1 May, and was in service till 21 
Sept. 

In 1757 another expedition was sent out. Col. Meserve was ap- 
pointed a second time to the command, and John Webster enlist- 
ed in Capt. Emery's company. — serving from 7 March to 5 Nov. 
The regiment was at Fort William Henry when it surrendered, 
and suffered terribly in the massacre that took place. 

Upon the close of the war Capt. Webster was instrumental in 
obtaining a charter for the town, and was one of the first select- 
men in 1760. The succeeding year he was chairman of the lx)ard. 

The proprietors of Stevenstown, in 1759, granted him one hun- 
dred acres of land for the building of a saw-mill. There was no 
obligation, no contract, but the mill was built on Punch brook, — 
on land owned by Ebenezer Webster, father of Ezekiel and 
Daniel, and not far from their birthplace. The foundations of 
the dam are still visible, and the rude stones of the grist-mill are 
still lying by the brook. 

Capt. Webster remained a citizen of Boscawen till about 1764, 
when he removed to Salisbury, and became one of the leading 
spirits of that town, as he had been of Contoocook. He was one 
of its best citizens, and exercised a wide influence for good. The 
one hundred acres of land granted him by the Stevenstowu 
proprietors is the land upon which tlie West village in Frank- 
lin is now located. Capt. Webster died in 1788, aged 77. 

DANIEL WEBSTER, HOX., 

America's greatest statesman, j^repared for college and began his 
public life in Boscawen. He was a citizen of the town for about 
three years, identified himself with its interests, voted at town- 
meeting, paid taxes, enrolled himself as a member of the religious 
society, and took part in the district school meetings. It was 
ever a pleasure to him to return to the place, not alone to visit 
his brother Ezekiel, but to renew his acquaintance with the peo- 
ple. The history of the town would be incomplete if no allusion 
were made to his residence here. 

He came to Dr. Wood's in Februar}-, 1797, at the age of fifteen. 
He had been to Exeter acadertiy, where he had spent six months, 
and had seen a little of the world, — for Exeter was the capital, and 



442 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

there was more life there than in the quiet Salisbury home. Of 
his residence with Dr. Wood, Mr. Webster thus speaks in his 
autobiography : 

" In February, 1797, my father carried me to the Rev. Samuel Wood, 
in Boscawen, and placed me under the tuition of that most benevolent 
and excellent man. On the way to Mr. Wood's, my father first inti- 
mated to me his intention of sending me to college. The very idea 
thrilled my whole frame. He said he then lived but for his children, 
and if I would do all I could for myself he would do all he could for 
me, I remember that I was quite overcome, and my head grew dizzy. 
The thing appeared to me so high, and the expense and sacrifice it was 
to cost my fatlier so great, I could only press his hands, and shed tears. 
Excellent, excellent parent! I cannot think of him now without being 
a child again. 

" Mr. Wood put me on Virgil and Tally, and I conceived a pleasure 
in the study of them, especially the latter, which rendered application 
no longer a task. With what vehemence did I denounce Catiline! With 
what earnestness struggle for Milo! In the spring I began the Greek 
grammar, and at midsummer Mr. Wood said to me, — ' I expected to 
keep you till next year; but I am tired of you, and I shall put you into 
college next month.' And so he did But it was a mere breaking-in. I 
was indeed miserably prepared, both in Latin and Greek. But Mr. 
Wood accomplished his promise, and I entered Dartmouth college as a 
Freshman, August, 1797. At Boscawen I found a circulating library, 
and read many of its volumes. I remember especially that I found 
Don Quixote in the common translation, and in an edition, as I think, 
of three or four duodecimo volumes. I began to read it, and it is liter- 
ally true that I never closed my eyes till I had finished it; nor did I 
lay it down for five minutes, so great was the power of that extraordi- 
nary book on my imagination." 

While he was at Dr. Wood's, his father sent for him in July, to 
help at haying. 

" My father put me to work to turn hay. It was pretty lonely there, 
and after working some time I found it very dull; and as I knew ray 
father was gone awa}\ I walked home, and asked my sister Sally if she 
didn't want to go and pick some whortleberries. She said yes. So I went 
and got the horses, put the side-saddle on one of them, and we set off. 
We did not get home till pretty late, and I soon went to bed. When 
my father came home he asked my mother where I was, and what I had 
been about. She told him. The next morning, when I awoke, I saw 
all my clothes that I had brought from Dr. Wood's tied up in a small 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, 



443 



bundle again. When I saw my father, he asked me how I liked hay- 
ing. I told him I found it pretty dull and lonesome. ' Well,' said he, 
' I believe you may as well go back to Dr. Wood's.' So I took my 
bundle under my arm, and on my way met Thomas ^Y. Thompson, a 
lawyer in Salisbury. He laughed heartily when he saw me. ' So,' 
said he, ' your farming is over, is it?' " 

A yoinig man named David Palmer, a senior of Dartmouth col- 
lege, was employed by Dr. Wood to teach him Greek. He had 
less than six weeks to prepare in. 

Mr. Palmer was from Windham, Conn., studied theology, and 
was minister at Townsend, Mass., from 1800 to 1831. He died 
in 1849. 

During the spring and summer months, while keeping np his 
studies, getting so far in advance of his associates that Dr. Wood 
was " tired " of him, Daniel found time to visit Mill brook, with 
his fish-hook and line, and, cutting fin alder for a rod, obtain fine 
strings of trout, which doubtless were always acceptable at Dr. 
Wood's table. 

He wrote thus in regard to his college life : 

" My college life was not an idle one. I^esides the regular attendance 
on prescribed duties and studies, I read something of English history 
and English literature. I even paid my board for a year by superin- 
tending a little weekly newspaper, and making selections for it from 
books of literature and from the contemporary publications."' 

Prom Benjamin Clark, who -was in college with Daniel, we 
learn that collegians then were not much different from collegians 
of all time — ever ready to play pranks upon the faculty and upon 
each other. There were strong ties between Daniel and his asso- 
ciates, so enduring that practical jokes never sundered them. It 
is related that these friends and brothers, as they called them- 
selves, occupied adjoining rooms, and, in order to facilitate social 
enjoyments without the cognizance of the Paculty, so fixed the 
panels in the ceiling that there was free jD^ssage from room to 
room. 

" They had all things in common. The first to rise in the morning 
dressed himself in the best which the united apartments afforded, and 
so of the rest successively ; but woe to the latest riser, whose equip- 
ments might have been furnished at Rag Fair! " 

Mr. Clark, who was from Princeton, Mass., who afterwards 



444 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

lived in New York, and was known as the " Honest Quaker," was 
the fortunate possessor of a new beaver hat which cost some eight 
or ten dollars, and was the envy of the college. One day it was 
missing. He searched high and low, but could not find it. He 
found an old slouch felt hat, which lie was obliged to wear. Sev- 
eral Aveeks passed. Daniel Webster was absent from college, 
keeping school. He returned at length, and with him came the 
beaver hat, whicli he had borrowed for a few weeks ! He and 
Clark shook hands over the joke, and were better friends than 
ever. 

Mr. Webster graduated in August, 1801, and studied law with 
Mr. Thompson, of Salisbury (Franklin), a near neiglibor. His first 
" case " — not in court, but outside of it — occurred while he was 
with Mr. Thompson. A trader in New Chester (Hill) had failed, 
and his Boston creditors thought it was a voluntary suspen- 
sion, with the intention of making money. They placed their 
accounts in the hands of Mr. Thompson, who sent Daniel to Kew 
Chester with the sheriff to investigate affairs. They found the 
store closed — shutters up and door locked — and a process served 
upon the goods. Daniel pondered the situation, then seized a 
heavy log of wood and hurled it against the door. The lock gave 
way, and the door was open. He was careful not to put his foot 
inside the door, for that would have been "breaking and enter- 
ing," a criminal affair whicli would have sent him to Hopkinton 
jail for a term of j^ears ; but breaking was only a trespass, a mat- 
ter of damage to the door and lock, an affair of a dollar or two. 
The sheriff could not batter down the door. That would be mal- 
feasance of office, and would send him to the jail ; but seeing the 
door was open he could go in, and serve his attachments. It is 
related that the Boston creditors were well pleased with the result. 

After teaching school at Fryeburg, and studying in Mr. Gore's 
office, in Boston, after declining the tempting offer of the clerk- 
ship of Hillsborough county, he came to Boscawen, in March, 
1805, and opened his first office, in the house now occupied by 
Mr. Meader, in the north-west corner chamber. The furniture 
consisted of a pine table, a few shelves for books, and some chairs. 
He remained in Boscawen till September, 1807, and then removed 
to Portsmouth, turning over his business to his brother Ezekiel. 
How many cases he had in court is not known. At the April 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 445 

term, 1S07, lie liad the suit of Jacob Martiu against Benjamin 
Carter, for debt. IVIr. Martin was a shoemaker, and his account 
runs from 1802 to 1806 : 

" Benjamin Carter to Jacob Martin Dr 

1802 s p 
Dec. To pare of shoes for your Dafter — 

To pare of shoes for one children 4 — 6 

To Gaping and tapin your Boys' shoes 3 — 6 

To pare of shoes for your Littel gall 4 — 
January 

1803 to mending your shoes 1 — 10 
Febry to mending your galls shoes 2 — 6 
March To mending mikels shoes 3 — 9 

To mending your shoes 3 — 

June To mending pare of pumps for your Dafter 4 — 6 
26 To hoing one Day 3^ to making you a pare of 

shoes 4 7 — 
To Bushel of turnops 2* to pare of shoes for 

yourself 9 11 — 

Nov To making pai-e of shoes for your Wife 11 — 
To making a pare of shoes for Betsey & one 

pare for Naty 6 — 

To making a pare of shoes for mik 3 — 

To onions 7 — 6 — to making pare of shoes 3 — 6 11 — 

23 To making pare of shoes for you 3 — 6 

December to making a small pare of shoes 2 — 4 

1804 to making you a pare of shoes 4 — 6, to mend- 

ing 1—3 .5— 9 

Aug To 4 days of Mr Conor 1— 0— 

to mending a small pare of shoes 1 — 6 

To mending miks shoes 9 

• To making your gal a pare of shoes 3 — 9 

To mending your Boots 1 — 4 

Kov 2 To making your wife a pare of shoes 3 — 6 

To Cash 4— 6 

To mending pare of shoes 2 — 6 

Jan 1805 to making your wife a pare of shoes, 3 — 6 

to mending your shoes, 3 — 

To Baral of Cyder 9— 

To making Jeremiah pare of shoes 4 — 

To pare of shoes for Doley 5 — 

To your shoes 3 — 



446 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 









s 


P 


L 1895 To mending your Wifes 






1— 





To galand of Cydar 






1— 





to half Bushel of Corn 






o 


6 


G To keeping your mare 






5— 


6 


To Quarter Lam 






2 


7 


To House Rent 






1—16— 







£10—12— 


5 


Erros excepted 












Jacob 


Martin 




[In Mr. Webster's -writing] Dols 


35.41 








lo'h April 1807 










for service 23 










travel 9 











There are many anecdotes extant of Mr. Webster during the 
two and a half years he resided in Boscawen. He loved to hunt 
and fish. He knew every brook and pond, the best places for 
trout, the choicest spots among the lily-pads for pickerel. 

One of his companions on his hunting expeditions was ISTehe- 
miah Clark. It was currently reported that one day, while gunning, 
a gray squirrel secreted himself among the thick foliage of a tree, 
and that Clark climbed the tree to rout him from his hiding-place. 

" I see him," shouted Webster, from the ground, raising his 
gun to fire. 

" Don't you slioot me !" said Clark. 

" No, I won't ; 5'ou just keep still and I will bring him down." 

The story runs that the charge entered Mr. Clark's knee, and 
lamed him for life, which probably is an exaggeration. It is quite 
probable that a scattering shot hit Clark, but his lameness arose 
from other causes. Mr. Webster never lost his friendship for 
Clark, but was accustomed to call upon him whenever he visited 
Boscawen. 

While a citizen of the town he had a volunteer military com- 
pany. At that period a large business was done in the mak- 
ing of staves, and there was an extensive coopering establish- 
ment on the west side of King street, where a dozen or more men 
were employed. These were Mr. Webster's soldiers, with others 




HJjr 



^^^^^^^5^ ^^^/^^^L^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 447 

on the street. In moonlight evenings, with hoop-poles for weap- 
ons, they were marshalled hy the young law_yer, then twenty- 
four years of age, who wlieeled, marched, and countermarched 
them up and down the street to the music of the fife and drum. 
About the time of his coming to Boscawen, he sent $85 to 

Boston to purchase law books, by a Mr. of Salisbury, who 

lost the money ; but Mr. Webster did not allow the loss to 
trouble him. In a letter to Ezekiel, he writes, under date of April 
30, 1805,— 

"Mr. 's family felt pretty sensibly Jonathan's misfortune, but 

I believe are now reconciled to it. 

" Fol de dol, dol de dol, di dol ; 
I'll never make money ray idol ; 
Far away our dollars will fly all. 
With ray friend and my pitcher 
I'ra twenty times richer 
Than if I raade money ray idol — 
Fol de dol. dol de dol, di dol !" 

On the 30th of April he wrote to Ezekiel, — 

" My residence here is tolerably pleasant. I live with ]\Ir. French 
[Mr. Joel French, who lived in the one story house north of the present 
parsonage]. Some little business is done here, and I get a part. In 
time, perhaps, I shall gratify my moderate rational wishes." 

To his classmate, Mr. Bingham, at Lempster, he writes : 

" Boscawen, May 4, 1805. 
"Dear Bingham: You must know that I have opened a shop in this 
village for the manufacture of justice writs. Other mechanics do pretty 
well here, and I am determined to try my luck, among others. March 
25, 1 left Boston with a good deal of regret, I assure you. I was then 
bound for Portsmouth, but I found my father extremely ill, and little 
fit to be left by all his sons; and, therefore, partly through duty, partly 
througli necessity, and partly through choice, I concluded to make my 
stand here. Some little business is doing in this neighborhood, and of 
that little I hope to get a little part. This is all T at present can say of 
my prospects. For one thing I ought to be thankful. If poverty 
brings me so near to the wind that I cannot stay here in duty to my 
stomach, I have only to take my hickory and walk. The disagreeable 
incumbrances of houses, lands, and property need not delay me a mo- 
ment. Nor shall I be hindered by love, nor fastened to Boscawen by 
the power of beauty." 



448 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

That Mr. Webster had started well is evident from a sentence 
in a letter written by Ezekiel : 

"Boscawen, May 10, 1805. 
"Dear Daniel: Before Mr. French [Mr. French was a trader, and 
visited Boston to furnish goodsj had given me your letter, I had for- 
warded your trunk, with the blank books you so much need for the en- 
try of your fourteen actions." 

He had been in Boscawen five weeks, .and had fourteen cases. 

His sister Sally came from Salisbury to see him in his new 
quarters, and wrote to Ezekiel in regard to him, — 

" Daniel is at the other end of the room filling out a blank; he looks 
pleasant. I suppose he intends to get a dollar for it, towards the 
eighty he has lost. It has been remarked that a bad beginning makes 
a good ending. If that is the case, I think he will undoubtedly have a 
good end.'' 

Daniel to Ezekiel : 

"Sunday, June, 1805. 

"Dear Zeke: I got home alive last evening, although most killed by 
hot weather. Have not seen our folks, but hear they are well. Pray 
send me a pair of gaiters like Fifield's. In going to church to-day, I 
feel that man is dust, and can think of nothing to guard against sand 
better than they do. 

"Adieu, which is a very affectionate term from the French a-dieu, 
and is synonymous with ' I commend you to God.' " 

On the 4th of July Mr. Webster gave an oration at Salisbury 
south village. Party spirit was running high. He spoke to the 
Eederalists, while Mr. Pettingill addressed his fellow democrats 
at the centre village, a mile distant. The last of July Mr. Web- 
ster wrote to Ezekiel, — 

"I shall make as many entries at the next court as I expected to, per- 
haps a few more. I pick up, however, but very little cash, hardly laying 
my hand on a single dollar." 

In a letter to his classmate Bingham, dated Jan. 19, 1806, we 
get a glimpse of his business : 

" It is now eight months since I opened an office in this town, during 
which time I have led a life which I know not how to describe better 
than by calling it a life of writs and summonses. Not that I have dealt 
greatly in those articles, but that I have done Httle else. My business 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 449 

has been Just about so, so; its quantity less objectionable than its qual- 
ity. 

'' I shall be able at the end of the year to pay my bills, and pay per- 
haps sixty pounds for books. I practise in Hillsborough, Rockingham, 
and Grafton. Scattering business over so much surface is like spilling 
water on the ground. * * I make no poetry, — five lines to D. Ab- 
bott are the Alpha and Omega of my poetical labors for the year. In 
this particular I mean to reform. How would it do, think ye, to write 
writs in verse? For instance, let one be clausum in his verbis— ilvdi is to 
say, being interpreted, wrapt up in these words, — 

"All good sheriffs in tlie land 

We command 
That forthwith yon arrest John Dyer, 

Esquire, 
If in your precinct you can find him, 
And bind liini — &c., &c., &c." 

He removed to Portsmouth in September, 1807, transferring 
liis business in Boscawen to his brother Ezekiel. 

Daniel Webster's entrance upon public life was not of his own 
seeking. Samuel Batchekler, of Cambridge, Mass., still living at 
the age of 94, was formerly a resident of New Hampshire, and 
was instrumental in securing Mr. Webster's first nomination to 
congress. He furnishes the following statement : 

" For several years previous to 1812, the Democratic parly was a ma- 
jority in the state of Kew Hampshire; but in 1812 the Federalists be- 
gan to have hopes that by the nomination of a strong list of candidates 
for members of congress, who were chosen by a general ticket, they 
miglit carry the election. For this purpose Judge Timothy Farrar 
was induced to consent to head the list. The judge had never been an 
active politician, and was not ambitious of distinction, having been a 
judge for more than thirty years, and at one time had resigned a place 
on the bench of the Supreme Court in order to take a place as judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas. 

" In the course of the year 1812 political feeling was undergoing such 
a change that the Federal party felt confident of success, and there was 
a strong disposition to send Mr.Webster to congress ; and it was known 
that Judge Farrar had consented very reluctantly to his own nomina- 
tion, and would be glad to have Mr. Webster take his place, on account 
of friendship for him as well as for his father, who was a judge on the 
same bench with himself. Accordingly a meeting was held at Concord 
during the session of the legislature, in June, and a committee was ap- 
pointed, consisting of Judge Jeremiah Smith, Ezekiel Webster, and 
29 



450 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

myself, to consult Judge Farrar, and make arrangements such as were 
known would be agreeable to him. 

" The committee agreed upon a day to meet at New Ipswich and at- 
tend to their duty; and Judge Smith took the stage by way of Boston, 
and Ezekiel Webster got into my chaise and proceeded with me to New 
Ipswich, and arrangements were made with Judge Farrar to the satis- 
faction of all parties. Accordingly a meeting was held at Brentwood, 
in August, at which the famous Rockingham memorial and resolutions, 
drawn by Mr. Webster, were adopted. Mr. Webster's name was 
placed at the head of the list for congress, and Judge Farrar was nom- 
inated one of the electors of president." 

WEBSTER, EZEKIEL, HON. 

Ezekiel Webster, elder brother of Daniel, was born in Salisbury, 
April 11, 1780. The first nineteen years of his life were spent on 
his father's farm, and it was settled in the mind of Judge Web- 
ster that he was to remain at home and be a farmer, while Daniel, 
who had less physical strength in childhood, who seems to have 
had little inclination for farming, was to be educated to one of the 
learned professions. 

Daniel entered college in 1797. It troubled him, however, to 
think that Ezekiel was at home plodding on the farm while he 
was obtaining an education. He says in his autobiography, — 

"I soon began to grow uneasy at my brother's situation. His pros- 
pects were not promising, and he himself felt and saw this, and had as- 
pirations beyond his condition. Nothing was proposed, however, by 
way of change of plan, till two years later. 

" In the spring of 1799, at the May vacation, being then a sophomore, 
I visited my family, and then held serious consultation with my brother. 
I remember well when we went to bed we began to talk matters over, 
and that we rose after sunrise without having shut our eyes. But we 
had settled our plan. 

" He had thought of going into some new part of the country. That 
was discussed and disagreed to. All the pros and cons of the question 
of remaining at home were weighed and considered, and when our coun- 
cil broke up, or, rather, got up, its result was that I should propose to 
my father that he, late as it was, should ,be sent to school, and also to 
college. This we knew would be a trying thing to my father and moth- 
er and two unmarried sisters. My father was growing old, his health 
not good, and his circumstances far from easy. The farm was to be 
carried on, and the family taken care of; and there was nobody to do 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 451 

all this but him who was regarded as the main stay, that is to say, Eze- 
kiel. However, I ventured on the negotiation, and it was carried, as 
other things often are, by the earnest and sanguine manner of youth. I 
told him that I was unhappy at my brother's prospects. For myself 
I saw my way to knowledge, respectability, and self-protection, but as 
to him, all looked the other way; that I would keep school, and get 
along as well as I could — be more than four years in getting through 
college, if necessary— provided he also could be sent to study. 

" He said, at once, he lived but for his children ; that he had but little, 
and on that little he put no value, except so far as it might be useful to 
them; that to carry us both through college would take all he was 
worth; that for himself he was willing to run the risk, but that this 
was a serious matter to our mother and two unmarried sisters; that we 
must settle the matter with them, and if their consent was obtained he 
would trust to Providence and get along as well as he could." 

The father laid the case before tlie mother. " The farm is al- 
ready mortgaged, and if we send Ezekiel to college it will take all 
we have ; but the boys think they can take care of us," he said. 

It did not take the strong-hearted, sagacious woman long to de- 
cide the matter : " We can trust the boys." 

The question was settled. Daniel went back to Hanover, while 
Ezekiel went, bundle in hand, to Dr. Wood's, and began the study 
of Latin. He spent two terms at a school kept at Salisbury, 
South Road village, and returned again to Dr. Wood's, where his 
expenses were about one dollar per week. 

While thus studying and taking recreation beneath the magnifi. 
cent beeches that stood before the house, he kept up a frequent 
correspondence with Daniel at Hanover. Ezekiel distrusted his 
ability to get on. Daniel makes this reply to him, in a letter 
written April 25, 1800 : 

" You tell me that you have difficulties to encounter which I know 
nothing of. What do you mean, Ezekiel? Do you mean to flatter? 
That don't become you. Or do you think you are inferior to me in 
natural abih ties? If so, be assured you greatly mistake. Therefore, 
in the future say in your letters to me, 'I am superior to you in natu- 
ral endowments; I will know more in one year tlian you do now, and 
more in six than you ever will.' 

" 1 should not resent the language, — I should be very well pleased in 
hearing it; but be assured, as mighty as you are, your great puissance 
shall never insure you a victory without a contest." 



452 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Witli such words Daniel endeavored to clieer the struggling elder 
brother. 

In November, 1802, Daniel was at home in Salisbury, while 
Ezekiel was struggling with povert}^ at Hanover. Funds were 
getting low in the Webster homestead. Daniel writes under date 
of Nov. 4th : 

" Now, Zeke, you will not read half a sentence, no, not one syllable 
before you have thoroughly searched this sheet for scrip ; but my word 
for it, you'll find no scrip here. We held a sanhedrim this morning on 
the subject of cash. Could not hit upon any way to get you any. 
Just before we went away to hang ourselves through disaj^pointment, 
it came into our heads that next week might do. The truth is, father 
had an execution against Hubbard of N. Chester for about one hun- 
dred dollars. The money was collecting and just ready to drop into 
the hands of the creditors, when Hubbard suddenly died. This, you 
see, stays the execution till the long process of administering is 
completed. 

" I have now by me two cents in lawful federal currency. Next 
week I shall send them, if they be all. They will buy a pipe; with a 
pipe you can smoke; smoking inspires wisdom; wisdom is allied to for- 
titude; from fortitude it is but one step to stoicism; and stoicism never 
pants for this world's goods; — so perhaps my two cents, by this process, 
may put you quite at ease about cash. * * * 

" We are all here just in the old way, always behind and lacking. 
Boys digging potatoes with frozen fingers, and girls washing without 
wood." 

Two daj's later Ezekiel writes to Daniel. It is not an answer ; 
the letters doubtless j)assed each other on the waj. Ezekiel, after 
giving a just criticism on the writings of Horace, thus closes his 
epistle : 

'' These cold frosty mornings very sensibly inform me that I want a 
warm great-coat. I wish, Daniel, it might be convenient to send me 
cloth for one, otherwise I shall be necessitated to purcliase one liere. I 
do not care what color it is, or what kind of cloth it is — anytliing that 
will keep the frost out. Some kind of shaggy cloth, I think, would be 
cheapest. Deacon Pettingill has written, offering me fourteen dollars a 
month [to keep school]. I believe I shall take it. 

"Money, Daniel, money! As I was walking down to the office after 
a letter, I happened to have one cent, -wdiich is the only money I have 
had since the second day after I came on. It is a fact, Dan, that I was 





#^^i^^. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 453 

called on for a dolLir where I owed it, and borrowed it, and have bor- 
rowed it four times since to pay those I borrowed of." 

From a paragnipli in a letter, written by Daniel to his class- 
mate, Bingliam, of Lempster, it would appear that Ezekiel taught 
school in Sanbornton in December, 1803 : 

" Zeke is at Sanbornton. He comes home once in a while, sits down 
before the kitclien fire, begins to poke and rattle the andirons. I know 
what is coming, and am mute. At length he puts his feet into the 
oven's mouth, places his right eyebrow up on his forehead, & begins a 
very pathetic lecture on the evils of poverty. It is like church service. 
. He does all the talking, and I only say 'Amen! amen!' " 

Ezekiel's funds failed iu the spring of 1804, and by permission 
of the Faculty he left Dartmouth, went to Boston, where he pur- 
chased the good-will of a private school, which he taught with 
great success till April, 1805. He was graduated at Dartmouth 
meanwhile in 1804, having .spent but three years in college. 

While earning a livelihood by teaching, he studied law with 
Gov. Sullivan, then attorney-general of Massachusetts. In 1806 
he studied with Parker Noyes, Esq., of Salisbury, next door to 
Judge Webster's house. Daniel having decided to leave Bos- 
cawen and take up his residence in Portsmouth, turned over his 
practice to Ezekiel, who entered upon* his profession as a lawyer 
in Boscawen in the month of September, 1807. His legal knowl- 
edge and moral worth soon became known, and acquired for him 
an extensive business. He was not ambitious to excel as an orator, 
and it was only the urgent appeal of duty or the imperative obliga- 
tion to his profession that overcame his instinctive aversion to a 
crowd, and called forth his highest powers of eloquence. He never 
encouraged litigation, but ahvays used his personal influence to 
bring about a private adjustment of most of the contested matters 
originating in the town. He repeatedly represented the town in 
the legislature. He was educated a Federalist by his father, a 
Whig of 177G. He was old enough to remember the administra- 
tion of Washington, and believed with all his heart in the politi- 
cal principles adhered to by the Federal party, Avhicli was in a 
minority in the state after he came into public life. This adher- 
ence to political principle prevented his election to congress, and 
from holding other offices in the gift of the people. 



454 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

Although devoted to his profession, he loved agriculture, and 
retained the homestead at Salisbury after his father's death, which 
occurred in 1806. He was one of the projectors and an active 
member of the Merrimack Agricultural Society, and was active in 
advancing improved methods of husbandry. 

He Avas simple in his tastes, kind, genial, polite, and a jierfect 
gentleman. He attended to all the details of life, served as asses- 
sor in the religious society, and as committee-man for the school 
district. He looked upon Dr. Wood as a loving child looks upon 
a devoted parent. A member of the bar, S2:)ending a Sabbath 
with Mr. Webster, and hearing Dr. Wood, took occasion to dis- 
parage the sermon. Mr. Webster replied pointedly and with 
spirit, that he doubted the gentleman's ability to appreciate the 
performance. He was ever Dr. Wood's confidential friend and 
adviser. Together they planned the establishing of Boscawen 
academy. Mr. Webster contributed fully $300 to the institution, 
and by his heartiness and zeal stimulated his fellow-townsmen to 
carry on the project, while Daniel, then almost in the zenith of 
his fame, contributed the bell. 

He was an exemplary member of the church, and his influence 
was ever on the side of right. He was a constant attendant upon 
religious services, and alwa^'s maintained religious devotions in 
his home. 

On the 10th of April, 1829, he was making a plea before the 
Merrimack bar at Concord. He was standing erect. The court- 
room was crowded, for whenever the lawyer from Boscawen made 
a plea the people flocked to hear him. The court, jurors, lawyers, 
and audience were listening to his words, and noticing the play 
of his clear cut features and the manly dignity of his command- 
ing presence. He was speaking with vigor and earnestness. His 
periods were rounded as usual, his utterance clear, his enuncia- 
tion perfect. He closed one branch of his argument, uttered the 
concluding sentence and the final word, distinctly and with his 
accustomed cadence, his form erect as ever, his eye clear and 
bright, his arms hanging naturally by his side, and then, without 
a murmur, a groan, a lisp, raising not a hand, clutching at noth- 
ing, with no bending of a joint or quivering of the eyelids, he fell 
backward upon the floor — dead ! With the quickness of the light- 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 455 

ning's flash, from the full vigor of a manly life, at the age of 49, 
he died — one of the most remarkable deaths on record. 

His funeral was attended on the following Sunday by a vast 
concourse of people, and he was mourned by the entire com" 
munity. 

A writer in a public journal describes his appearance : 

'"' He was nearly six feet in height, finely proportioned, with a very 
commanding presence. His was a magnificent form, crowned with a 
princely head, that in his last years was thickly covered with snowy 
hair. His complexion was just the opposite of Daniel's. His counte- 
nance was open as the day; his heart was warm and afl"ectionate; his 
manners kind and courteous." 

Daniel, in a letter written in 184G, thus spoke of him : 

" He appeared to me the finest human form that ever I laid eyes on. 
I saw him in his coffin, a tinged cheek, a complexion clear as the heav- 
enly light." 

One who saw him at church, on a cold day the winter before, 
speaks of his appearance. It was before the introduction of a 
stove. Mr. Webster came in, wearing a jacket, or " Spencer," as 
the garment was called, over his coat, bringing a foot-stove in his 
hand, which with princely politeness he placed at the feet of Mrs. 
vVebster, and then took his seat, and joined reverently in the 
worship. 

He held important trusts, — was trustee of Dartmouth college 
from 1819 till his death, and repeatedl_y represented the town in 
the legislature. He married (1) Alice Bridge, of Billerica, Mass., 
13 Jan., 1809 ; (2) Achsa Pollard, of Concord, 1825. He left 
two daughters, — Alice Bridge, who married Jarvis Gregg, Jan- 
uary 1, 1836, the first preceptor of Boscawen academy — from 1828 
to 1830. He was son of Dea. James and Betsey (Hopkins) 
Gregg, of Londonderry ; studied theology at Andover ; ordained 
as minister, 1835 ; and became Professor of Natural Philosophy and 
Rhetoric at Western Reserve college, Hudson, Ohio, 1835, where 
he died. His widow married Prof. Guthrie, of Marietta college. 
His second daughter, Mary Ann, married Prof. Edwin D. San- 
born, LL. D., of Dartmouth college, 11 Dec, 1837. He is son of 
David E. and Harriet (Hook) Sanborn, and was born at Gilman- 
ton in 1808. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1832, studied theol- 



456 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

ogy at Andover, became tutor at Dartmouth in 1835, professor of 
Latin and Greek from 1835 to 1837, and professor of Latin from 
1837 to 1859. He became president of Washington University, 
St. Louis, from 1859 to 1863, but returned to Hanover, where 
he now is professor of oratory and belles-lettres. 

WEBSTER, ELIPHALET K., 

Son of Eev. Josiah Webster, was bom in Essex, Mass., 3 May, 
1802. His father removed to Hampstead in 1808, Avhere he was 
installed pastor of the Congregational church, continuing the rela- 
tion till his death, in 1837. He had several other sons, — one? 
Gen. J. J). Webster, of Chicago, chief of Gen. Grant's staff in the 
early campaigns of the war; another is president of Olivet college, 
Mich. 

Eliphalet K. was educated at Hampton academy, and at Phil- 
lips academy, Exeter. He began the study of medicine with Dr. 
Farley of Erancestown, continued with Dr. Ramsey, of Greenfield, 
one year. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1829, began practice 
at Hill, then New Chester, in February, 1833. He married 
Emily Webster, daughter of Col. Ebenezer Webster, of Salis- 
bury, — youngest sister of Daniel, — August, 1833. * 

Dr. Webster moved to Boscawen in 1844, and engaged in a 
lucrative practice. He Avas post-master from 1854 to 1862, super- 
intending school committee for a period of twelve years, was 
elected secretary of the JST. H. Medical Society for many years, 
and was honored by being elected president of the society in 1861. 
He removed to Billerica, Mass., in 1870, where he still resides. 

WIXN, ABNER BOWMAN, 

Son of Reuben, was l;>orn in Hudson, 10 October, 1816 ; married 
Frances M., daughter of Jonathan Harvey, of Surry, Mass., 
March 18, 1837, and moved to Boscawen in December, 1838. He 
was the first in Fisherville to set in motion machinery for making 
cloth, commencing in the lower story of the stone factory (erected 
in 1836), and continued in the same and similar business until his 
death, 16 Sept., 1855. 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



457 



He was a skilful mechanic, mucli devoted to his occupation, a 
kind husband and neighbor, open and generous in his disposition, 
and held the confidence of all his associates. He was elected to 
the legislature in 1855, but next year declined a reelection. 

WOOD, REV. SAMUEL, D. D., 

Was born in Mansfield, Conn., 11 May, 1752, and was the old- 
est of thirteen children. In his childhood he suffered from a 
sickness which retarded his growth and strength. At an early 
age he became religious, and had a desire to be a minister of the 
gospel. His father removed to Lebanon, N. H., in 1766, being 
one of the early settlers of the town. There were no schools, nor 
advantages of any kind for obtaining an education. It was a 
great trial to a lad who had an ardent thirst for knowledge. He 
worked hard to help his father clear his newly acquired land. 

He united with the Lebanon church at its formation, four 
years later, under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Potter. The long 
desired opportunity for the acquisition of an education came, per- 
haps sooner than he expected. Dartmouth college was estab- 
lished in 1769, within six miles of his home. He entered that 
institution in August, 1775, at the age of 24. He was obliged to 
exercise a rigid economy while going through his college course- 
He graduated in 1779, giving the valedictory on that occasion, 
showing his high standing as a student, the class numbering sev- 
enteen. His theme on that occasion was, "The Importance of 
Education." 

During his senior year, having the ministry in view, he gave 
attention to the study of theology ; and having been licensed to 
preach, gave his first sermon at Lebanon, 13 October, of the 
same year. His text in the morning was from John 12 : 21, — 
" Sir, we would see Jesus." At the close of the service two men 
came to him inquiring the Avay of salvation. In the afternoon 
he preached from John 9 : 27, — "Will ye also be his disciples ? " 
During the remainder of 1779 he preached in the surrounding 
towns. 

October 17, 1780, he married Miss Eunice Bliss, youngest 
daughter of Hezekiah Bliss, of Lebanon, who had moved from 
Connecticut with his large family of twelve children — six sons 



458 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 

and six daughters. Miss Bliss was twenty-five, Mr. Wood 
twenty-nine years of age ; and tlie marriage thus consummated 
was a ha2:)py union that continued fifty-six years. 

In the fall after his marriage Mr. Wood visited in Connecticut, 
and received an invitation to settle there, hut declined it. In 
the spring of 1781 he received an application from the town of 
Boscawen, to preach six months ; and his ministry was so accept- 
able that he was ordained as pastor of the church and minister 
of the town, 17 October, the same year. 

" At tlie time of his settlement [says Rev. Mr. Price, in Dr. Wood's 
funeral sermon] he felt himself alone, as there were but three ministers 
within forty miles who united with him in religions sentiment. The 
others were either Armenians, or so loose in sentiment that he could 
not exchange labors with them without sacrificing principle; and to use 
his own words, ' I was a speckled bird.' * * j^ great revival 
of religion was enjoyed at the opening of the spring of 1782. It was 
the first ever experienced in the town, and it was a wonderful event to 
all the people in all the region. Among the suljects of this work of 
grace were between thirty and forty heads of families."' 

Dr. Wood's civil contract with the town was dissolved, 7 May, 
1802, though his pastoral relation with the church still continued. 
In 1804, the Second church was organized, in the western sec- 
tion of the town, and Rev. Ebenezer Price settled as its pastor. 

Bev. Mr. Wood, during these years, prepared a number of young 
men for college. Among them was Daniel Webster. Four were fit- 
ted for the ministry that did not go through college, four received 
their entire help from him to carry them through college, while 
fifteen others were aided in part. The last pupil fitted by him 
entered the class of 1830 — a promising young man from Dunbar- 
ton, by the name of Wilson, who died before completing his course. 
Nearly fifty j^oung men and women were prepared as i^achers 
in the public schools. 

From 1809 he was actively engaged in promoting the cause of 
education, and acted as visiting committee for twenty years. 

As early as the year 1797 he endeavored to secure the estab- 
lishment of an academjr, but, failing in that, was the means of 
starting a library. Thirty years later the project of an academy 
was revived, and through the energy and liberality of Hon. Ezekiel 
Webster, and the hearty cooperation of the citizens. Dr. Wood 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 



459 



hail the gratification of seeing the realization of his early plans. 
He contributed liberally to establish the institution, — giving the 
shingles, ^yllich he had shaved with his own hands. His salary 
during the first twenty years of his ministry was $!233.34, and the 
j)arsonage income, amounting to a few dollars. During the last 
thirty-five years of his ministry it was $230 and exemption from 
taxation. He delighted in husbandly, and took great pains to 
obtain choice varieties of fruit. At one period he gave his atten- 
tion to the production of silk. He never neglected his parochial 
duties, and during a period of fort3Miine years lost but nine Sab- 
baths on account of sickness. 

During a period of a half century there were ten revivals of re- 
ligion. Under his ministration 480 were added to the church by 
profession. There were 825 baptisms and 212 marriages solemn- 
ized by him. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by his 
Alma Mater, Dartmouth, in 1820. He took an active and lead- 
ing part in all the benevolent institutions of the day, and his 
genial and kindly disposition, and his ability as a preacher, gave 
him great influence. He was ever highly respected and honored. 
He did much towards forming j^ublic sentiment in the town, and 
his influence will be felt for good far and wide through coming 
i:jenerations. 



GENEALOGICAL. 



^^HE compilation of the Family Records in connection with 
^^ the History of Boscawen has been attended by many difficul- 
ties. With the utmost painstaking it has been impossible to obtain 
complete and accurate genealogies. The change from the Old to 
the New Style, by which, in 1752, eleven daj^s were stricken 
from the Calendar, wrought great confusion of dates. Years 
elapsed before the ISTew Style came into general use ; — hence 
the contradictory records between the births and deaths, as pre- 
served in family Bibles and in the town records. Man}- families 
liaving no written record, have supplied names and dates from 
memory, — an unsatisfactory record being the result. 

The genealogies being prepared by different individuals vary 
in method. The only practicable method is that which adheres 
strictly to the family name. The system which gives the families 
of female members after marriage leads to confusion ; — lience the 
compilers have endeavored, as far as practicable, to present the 
genealogies by the system which experience teaches is the best. 

Abbreviations : 



b. 


born. 


d. 


died. 


m. 


married. 


dau. 


daughter. 


s. 


son. 


B. 


Boscawen, 



462 GENEALOGICAL ABBOT. 

ABBOT. 

Compiled by Jolin Kimball. 

Geokge^ came from England 1640, was ancestor of tlie Abbot 
families of Andover, Mass., Concord, and Boscawen, 
d. 5 Oct., 1681. 

James^ (William,^ George-') came to Concord in 1735 ; lived on 
tlie farm now the homestead and residence of Simeon 
Abbot. 

Eeubex* (James,*^ William,- George^) settled in Concord, west 
of Long pond ; reached a more advanced age than 
any other man that ever lived in Concord ; saw his 
descendants of the same name to the fourtli genera- 
tion occupying the same house ; d. 13 May, 1822, 
aged 99. 

EzRA^ (Eeuben*) m. Mary Walker ; had nine children. Two 
of his sons, Timothy and Job, settled in B. ; also a 
dan., Ruth, who m. Samuel Ellsworth. 

Timothy'^ (Ezra^), b. 21 Dec, 1788 ; m. Rhoda, dan. Jonathan 
Johnson, and granddau. of Renben,* 8 Aug., 1818. 
He settled on Contoocook river, near the lower falls. 
For several years, in company with his brother Job 
and. others, he carried on the lumber business, and at 
one time owned a share in the mills near his resi- 
dence ; d. 6 Jan., 1847. 
CAor/e.s-, b. 29 July, 1822. 

Job*' (Ezra^), b. 14 Nov., 1790; lived in the house with his brother 
Timothy ; m. Lydia, dau. of John Morrison, of San- 
bornton, 9 May, 1816 ; d. 20 Sept., 1876. 

Samuel TF., b. 9 March, 1817; d. 18 Feb., 1819. 

Ezra M., b. 18 Jan., 1819; d. 22 Feb., 1819. 

Man) Esther, b. 12 June, 1820; d. 17 June, 1832. 

Judhh E., b. 31 March. 1822; d. 23 Sept., 1827. 

Abigail, b. 29 March, 1824; m. James Tallant. 

Emetine, h. 19 Nov., 182G; m. B. W. Jewett. 

Judith, b. 12 Jnly, 18:^9. 

Lydia Ann^ h. lo Nov., 1831 ; ni. Isaac N- Farley. 

Achmh ir., b. 12 Nov., 1833; d. 31 Oct., 1854. 

Augui^tus P., b. 9 Dec, 1835; m. Rose L. Withers. 

Jabez* (James,^ William,- George,^) with two brothers, settled 
near Sewell's falls, in Concord; m. Phebe, dau. of 
Edward^ Abbot, and had four children. 
Joseph, b. 5 Aug., 1759. 



GENEALOGICAL ABBOT. 463 

Joseph^ (Jabez*) served in the war of the revolution, in Col. 
Peabody's regiment ; in 1791 purchased the N. W. 
corner lot in B., now Webster; m. Molly Melloon, of 
Salisbury, 3 April, 1794. She was granddau. of Na- 
thaniel, who, with his family, was taken captive by 
the Indians, 16 May, 1753. 

Phehe, b. 17 Dec, 1791; d. 27 March, 1790. 

Nathaniel, b. 17 Aug., 1796. 

Joseph, b. 2-2 April, 1798. 

Jubez^h. 3 July, 1800. 

Clarissa, b. 3 ' Jan., 1803 ; d. 21 Sept., 1801. 

Phebe, 2d, b. 26 Feb., 1805; m. Jason D. Watkins, of Warner. 

ira, b. 10 Sept., 1807. 

Nathan, b. 7 Feb., 1811. 

Nathaniel*^ (Joseph^) m. Mary Fitts, of Sandown ; d. at Fisher- 
ville, 28 Feb., 18651 

Horace, b. 23 Nov., 1829; merchant at Fisherville ; d. 28 June, 1865. 

Ilarj/ J., b. 5 June, 1831 ; d. 1 Oct., 1831. 

Maria F., b. 28 March. 1833; d. 5 Aug., 1851. 

Julia A.,h. 22 May, 1831. 

3Iary J., 2d, b. 7 Jan , 1836. 

George W., b. 13 March, 1837. 

Joseph'^ (Joseph^) m. Mary Elkius, of Hampton ; lived in B. ; 
moved to Oakland, Cal. 
John E., b. 18 Nov., 1831; lawyer at Vallejo, Cal. 
Joseph E., b. 23 Sept.. 1836; lives in San Francisco. 
Oliver B., h. 26 July, 183S; served in the Union army ; d. July, 1885. 
Charles If., b. 11 May, 1813; lives at Oakland, Cal. 

Jabez^ (Joseph^), farmer, now living in Webster, on Little hill ; 
m. Eunice K. Moody. 
Harriet, b. 12 Dec, 1829. 
Ellen K., b. 8 Dec, 1831 ; teacher. 
Elmira, b. 11 March, 1833; d. 5 April, 1831. 
Livonia, b. 11 March, 1831 ; d. 22 Aug., 1851. 
Charles M., b. 6 March, 1836; d. 18 April, 1852. 
Warren, b. 20 March. 1838; teacher, lives in Webster, 
Joshua P., b. 3 March, 1840; lawyer in California. 
Jane, b. 5 April, 1816. 

Ira*^ (Joseph^) m. Almira Elkins, of Sanbornton ; d. 25 March, 
1877. 
i?/r//a .1.. b. 22 Oct., 1838. 
Almira, b. 4 Jan., 1812. 
Seth, b. 25 Jan., 1815. 
Mary C, b. 5 May, 1818; d. 21 Jan., 1875. 

Nathan® (Joseph^), m. Janette C. Eyan ; lives in Fisherville. 
Lucrelia M., b. 4 Nov., 1839 ; d. 10 Jalv, 1868. 
Luannah M., b. 27 March, 1848, 



464 GENEALOGICAL — ABBOT. 

Geokge W.'^ (IsTatlianieP) served three years in the Union army, 
7th Eegt. iST. H. V. ; was wounded at the battle of 
Ohistee, Florida ; resides at Fisherville ; m., 1st, Al- 
mira, dau. of James I. Tucker, of Boston ; 2d, Addie 
(Morrill) Batchelder. 

Harry S., b. 12 May, 1866; d. 29 Aug., 1867; child of Almira. 

Myra il/., b. 27 Oct., 1872 ; child of Addie. 

Charles^ (Timothy, *= Ezra,^ Keuben^) m., 1st, IMartha, dau. of 
Eenj. Haselton, of Springfield ; 2d, Sarah E., dau. of 
Eben Haselton, of Springfield. 

Rosette, b. 6 Sept., 1846; d. 6 Sept., 1848. 

Martha E., b. 26 Jan., 1848; m. Rufus Cass, 14 Nov., 1867. 

Nahum (?., b. 6 Aug., 1850; m. Fanny LI. James, 27 July, 1872. 

Willie, b. 29 May, 1861. 

Children of Sarah E. : 
Dan G., b. 21 Nov., 1862; d. 15 Oct., 1867. 
Lena M., h. 26 May, 1867. 
Fred S.,h. 17 June, 1869; d. 4 Sept., 1870. 

William, Col.*' (Nathan,^ Eeuben,* James,^ William,^ George^), 
b. 23 Aug., 1793, m. Dorcas, dau. of Ephraim Carter, 
7 March, 1820, — joiner and carpenter. Settled in B., 
on Water st. ; erected house now occupied by Jere- 
miah C. Chadwick. He built churches at Somers- 
worth, Cornish, Wentworth, Unity, Thornton, Hen- 
niker, and West Concord; also man}- residences, — 
that of the late Henry and Abial Gerrish, being a part 
of the Merrimack county almshouse, burned^ March 
12, 1878, and that now occupied by Mr. Raymond. 
He was a liberal, energetic man, given to hospitality, 
active in every good work, ready to assist in all pub- 
lic enterprises designed for the good of the commu- 
nity. He went through all grades of ofificial position, 
from sergeant in the 1st Company of Infantrj', to en- 
sign, lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant-colonel, 
and colonel of the 21st Eegiment. He emplo3^ed a 
large number of workmen, and his joiners' sho]), 
which stood between the residences of Jeremiah C. 
Chadwick and L. M. Chadwick, was ever an active 
place of business. It was burned in 1833, or about 
that time, but, through the kind-heartedness of his 
neighbors and his own indomitable energy, workmen 
were hewing the timber for a new shop the same after- 
noon. He took an active part in the temperance ref- 
ormation. At the time of the erection of the meeting- 
house at West Concord, in 1832, the question came up 
as to the use of ardent spirits at the raising. Those 



GENEALOGICAL — ABBOT. 4G5 

wlio still advocated moderate drinking urged the use 
of rum : the temperance people opposed its use. The 
argument of the moderate drinkers was, that no meet- 
ing-house had ever been raised without rum, and pre- 
dicted that it would not be possible to rear the frame 
without liquor. "If there are not temperance men 
enough in Concord to raise it, I will try and find 
them otherwheres," was the quiet reply of the ener- 
getic builder. " Send me down a dozen or more good 
men," was the message sent to Thomas Coffin, who 
had zealously espoused the temperance movement. 
The messenger who brought the verbal request en- 
larged the same, and thought that fifty men would be 
needed ; whereupon Mr. Coffin rallied the temperance 
men of Boscawen, and so many were ready to go that 
the volunteers swelled the number to fully one hun- 
dred, who were on the ground at an early hour, and 
reared the frame with a zeal and alacrity that amazed 
those who had predicted that it would not be possible 
to raise it without the stimulus of rum. Mr. Abbot 
d. at Concord, 3 Feb., 1837. 

Julia Ann P., b. 17 Oct., 1823; m. Henry C. Wade, of Lowell; 
resides on Water street, B. 

William P., b. 15 Dec, 1824. 

Emily E., b. 1 Jan., 1827; ni. Leonard Gerrisli, of Xortbfield [see 
Gerrish gen.]. 

Georr/e W.,h. 23 Jan., 1831. 

Charles C, b. 13 Feb., 1833; resides in Worcester. 

Rogers A., b. 15 July, 1835; ni. Anna Yarney; resides in Wor- 
cester. 

William P.^ (William, Col.,*^ Xathan,^ Eeuben^) m. Emily E. 
Uran. 

Frank W., b. May, 1854; d. 1 April, 1859. 
George ^Y.'' (William, Col.«) m. Elvira Wlnttemore. 

Charles M., Freddie, George II. 

Charles C." (William, Col.,*^ Nathan,^ Eeuben-*) m. Dorinda B. 
Stevens. 

Charles E., Arthur, William S., Dora, Edmund S., Florelle. 

James Buswell, m. d.^ (Elias,^ Reuben*), b. 24 June, 1799 ; m., 
1st, Nancy B. Rogers, of Northfield, 15 Nov., 1827, 
who died 11 Nov., 1837; 2d, Elizabeth B. Rogers, 
sister of Nancy, 2 Oct., 1838, who died 27 Nov., 
1842; 3d, Sarah, dau. of Capt. Joseph Gerrish, of 
Canterbury, 22 March, 1843 [see Gerrish genealogy]. 
His father moved to Northfield, 1801. James B. 
30 



466 GENEALOGICAL AMES. 

began his studies for tlie medical profession with Dr. 
Enos Hoyt, of Northfield, and received the degree of 
M. D., at Dartmoutli, in 1826. He began practice in 
Canterbury, removed to Loudon, but settled in B. 
in 1837, living in the house now occupied by S. 
B. G. Corser. In 1832 he was elected Fellow of the 
N. H. Medical Society', and represented the society in 
a national convention at Baltimore. He died at San- 
bornton, 6 Jul}^, 1870, where he had been a prac- 
tising physician for several years. 

Children of Elizabeth : 

James H., b. 3 Oct., 1839 ; d. 29 Feb., 1840. 

James Henry White, b. 30 May, 1842; d. 12 Jan., 18G5. 

Child of Sarah : 
Joseph Gerrish, b. 4 Oct., 1845. 

AMES. 

Compiled by .John Kimball. 

The Ames families of Boscav/en and Canterbury probably came 
from Amesbur}^, and were related to those of Bridgewater and 
Easton, Mass. The name in early records is sometimes spelled 
Amos, Emos, and Eames. 

Jacob^ was the earliest of the family known. 

Samuel,- b. 1724, and his wife Hannah, came to Canterbury. 
Died 16 Jan., 1803. Hannah d. 23 Jan., 1804. ^ 

Samuel, b. 1745. 
David, b. 27 May, 1749. 

Samuel'^ (Samuel,-^ Jacob^) came from Canterbury to B. ; m. 
Jane, only sister of Col. Henry Gerrish, and settled 
on High street. He served in the revolutionary war, 
at the battle of Stillwater, under Gen. Gates. Tra- 
dition says that his wife and son Joseph carried on 
the farm while he went to the war against Bur- 
goyne ; was chosen one of the selectmen in 1791. A 
noted hunter. Died'l Sept., 1825. Jane, his wife, d. 
30 March, 1814. 

Joseph, b. 31 May, 1771. 

Hannah, h. 14 Jan., 1776; m. Stephen Gerrish, 7 Feb., 1796; d. 

18 Nov., 1834. [See Gerrish gen.] 
Sarah,h. 15 Nov., 1780; m. Nathan Plummer, 14 June, 1804; d. 

25 Feb., 1842. 
Polly, b. 1783; d. 7 Dec, 1843, unmarried. 



GENEALOGICAL AMES. 467 

David^ (Samuel,- Jacob^) remained at Canterbuiy ; m. Phebe 
Hoyt. They lived near the meeting-house, and after- 
ward moved to a large farm in the "Borough," which 
is now in the possession of his descendants. Five of 
their daughters m. and settled in B. He d. 22 Sept., 
1812. His wife d. 30 Oct., 1838. 

Hannah, b. 11 Aug., 1775; ni. Joseph Ames; d. 18 June, 1827. 
Thomas, b. 6 Oct., 1777; m. Lucy Foster; d. 19 Nov., 1810. 
Sarah, b. 9 Dec, 1781 ; m. Jacob Gerrish ; d. 23 Oct., 1818. 
Samuel, b. -Id July, 1781; m. Myr;i Ayers ; d. 30 June, 1870. 
Marif, b. 11 Jan., 1786 ; m. Josiah Haines ; d. 7 Sept., 1872. 

David, b. 15 May, 1788; ni. Fisk ; d. July, 1870. 

JMip-a, b. 28 Sept., 1792; m. Samuel Tilton: d. 7 Mar., 1857. 
Phehe, b. 21 Jan., 1795; m. Charles Moody; d. 6 Sept., 1862. 
Ruih, b. 29 July, 1797 ; m. Benj. Kimball ; d. 22 Oct., 1871. 
Rhoda, b. 20 Dec, 1799: m. 1st, Ira Elliott; 2d, Laban Morrill; 
d. 10 Sept., 1869. 

Joseph* (Samuel,^ Samuel-) m. Hannah, dau. of David,^ of Can- 
terbury, and resided on High street, where he kept a 
hotel ; a man highly esteemed ; was selectman 1812, 
'13, '14 ; d. 15 June, 1851. His wife d. 18 June, 1827, 
pe. 48. 

Myra, b. 4 Jan., 1801; m, Thomas Little, 2 June, 1829 ; d. 17 

June, 1869. 
Joseph, b. 29 June, 1806 ; d. 20 Sept., 1826. 
Lucn, b. 13 Sept., 1808; d. 30 Nov., 1810. 
David, b. 20 Dec, 1810 ; lives West Creek, Ind. 
Samuel, b. 11 July, 1813. 
Nathan Plummer, b. 16 June, 1816. 
Stephen, b. 16 June, 1816 ; d. 1 Oct., 1826. 
Phehe Jane, b. 22 Dec, 1819 ; d. 6 Aug., 1830. 

Samuel^ (Joseph,* Samuel,'^ Samuel-) m. Lizzie Hubbard ; lived 
for a time on the Walker farm, in Concord ; moved to 
West Creek, Ind. ; represented his district in the leg- 
islature of that state 1875, '76. 
Edward Payson. 
Lizzie. 

Nathan P.^ (Joseph,* SamueP) m. Elvira, dau. of Thomas Cof- 
fin, 18 Feb., 1841 ; resided for a time on the old 
homestead inherited from his father, and moved to Chi- 
cago, 111. ; was colonel of the 21st Regt. K H. Mili- 
tia. 

Livonia Coffin, b. 18 April, 1813 ; m. Geo. W. Ware, Worcester, 

Mass. 
Charles Henrv, b. 5 Feb., 1817 ; graduated at Amherst College, 

1870. 
Lucia Jane, b. 5 May, 1856. 
Clara Preston, b. 13 May, 1859. 



468 



GENEALOGICAL — ATKINSON. 



FisherS (Tliomas," David,^ Samuel,- Jacob^), b. in Canterbury, 

18 Oct., 1814 ; m. Mary, dau. of Nathan PlummeT, 
15 Feb., 1844; resided on Fish street for a time; 
now lives in Fisherville. 

Sara P.. h. 10 Jan., 1845. 

He7v^ij Gerrlsh, b. 16 Sept., 1848; m. Emily L. Robie, 3 July, 1873: 
1 child, Grade Brown, b. 9 Dec, 1875; d. 27 July, 1876. 

ATKINSON. 

Compiled l)y Sauniel Barnard Elliot, Pataskaln, O. 

Thomas/ elder brother of Theodore Atkinson, of Boston, — ances- 
tor of the distinguished statesman of the pro^dnce of 
New Hamjishire, — came from Bury, Lancashire, Eng- 
land, and settled in Concord, Mass. He took the free- 
man's oath 7 Dec, 1630, and d. in Nov., 1646. 

Rebecca, b. 1638; ni. John Hayward, of Concord. 

John, b. 1G40. 

Susanna, b. 28 April, 1641; m. Caleb Brooks, 10 April, 1660; d. 

19 Jan., 1669. 

Hannah, b. 5 March, 1644; ra. Caleb Brooks, 1670. 

JoHN^ (Thomas^), b. in Concord, Mass., 1640. After tlie death 
of his father, he was adopted by his uncle Theodore, 
of Boston, of whom he learned the hatters' trade, and 
settled in Newbury, INIass. ; m., 1st, Sarah INIyrick, 
who was mother of all his children ; 2d, widow Han- 
nah Cheney, 3 June, 1700. She d. 5 Jan., 1705. 

Sarah, h. 27 Nov. 1665 ; ui. Stephen Coffin, of Newbury, Mass., 
1685. 

John, b. 1667. 

Thomas, b. 27 Dec, 1669; grad. H. C, 1691. 

Theodore, b. 23 Jan., 1672 ; drowned 24 July, 1685. 

Abigail, b. 8 Nov., 1673. 

Samuel, b. 16 Jan., 1676. 

Nalhaniel, b. 29 Nov., 1677. 

Elizabeth, b. 20 June, 1680. 

Joseph, b. 1 May, 1682 ; killed by Indians in Maine, 1706 ; unmar- 
ried. 

Rebecca. 

JoHX^ (John,- Thomas^), b. 1667 ; m. Sai-ah, dau. of Jonathan 
Woodman. They joined the Congregational church 
of Newbury, 1710. 

Thomas, b. 16 March, 1694. 
John, b. 29 Oct., 1695. 
Theodore, b. 8 Oct., 1698. 
Sarah, b. 6 Nov., 1700. 
Hannah, b, 21 Jan., 1703. 



GENEALOGICAL ATKINSON. 469 



m. Deborah 
]ongre,sra- 



Xathaxiel" (John,- Thomas^), 1>. 29 Nov., 1677 ; m. 
Knight, 22 Jan., 1707. She joined the C 
tional churcli, 1729. 

Man/, I). 1708. 
Sarah, b. 1710. 
Margaret, h. 1712. 
Nathaniel, b. 19 Marcli, 1717. 
Joseph, h. 28 l^ov., 1718. 

Xathaxiel* (Nathanie]^ John,' Thomas^), h. at jSTewbuiy, Mass., 
19 March, 1717; ni., 1st, Elizabeth Greenleaf, 30 
Nov., 1738. They joined the First Congregational 
church of Newbury, 1741. She d. in 1755. M., 2d, 
Sarah Morse, 1756. He moved to B. hate in 1769, 
and d. there 26 Oct., 1794. 

Children of Elizabeth : 

Parker, b. 1 Feb., 1739. 

Michael. 

3Ian/,h. 18 ^May. 1742; ni. Moses Coffin ; died soon after. 

Stephen, b. 15 Dec, 1714; published to Mercy Clark, 15 Dec, 

1770. 
Elizabeth, b. 10 Aug., 1747; m., 1st, Jos. Adams; 2d, Kowe ; 

3d, Jonathan Morse. 
Sumnna, b. 11 Aug., 1750; died 5 Oct., 1753. 
Nathaniel, h. 12 Dec, l75o. 

Children of Sarah : 

Jonathan, b. 30 Dec. 1756. 

Joseph, b. 28 April, 1758. 

John, b. 30 Oct., 1759; unmarried; d. 21 Dec, 1815. 

Benjamin, b. 7 Jan., 1761. 

Sarah, b. 8 Jan., 1763; m. Samuel Morrill, 28 April, 1785; d. 27 

Feb., 1844. 
Mary, b. INIay. 1764; m. Daniel Carter, 15 April, 1784; d. 15 

Sept., i854, set. 90. 
Judith, b. 1765: m. Joseph H. Morrill, 24 June, 1790; d. 3 Dec, 

1797. ret. 32. 
Eunice, b. 1767; m. Joseph Kimball. 
Hannah, d. young. 
Theodore, b. 30 Sept., 1769. 

Joseph* (Nathaniel,^ John,"^ Thomas^), b. in Newbury, Mass., 28 
Nov., 1718 ; m., 1st, Hannah, dau. of Samuel Hale, of 
Newbury, Mass., 23 June, 1745. She was b. 24 Jan., 
1720 ; d. 7 April, 1790. Her children were first 
cousins to Nathan Hale, the martyr spy, in the war 
of Independence. He moved to B. in 1767, and m., 
2d, :Mrs. I^Iary Couch, who d. 14 Dec, 1818, ret. 92. 
He d. 29 Aug., 1801, a?t. 82. 



470 GENEALOGICAL ATKINSON. 

Samuel^ b. 24 Sept., 1748. 

Simeon, b. 30 March, 1754. 

Susanna, b. 15 June, 1758 ; m. Edmund Cliadwick, 27 June, 1778. 

She d. 10 March, 1829. 
Hannah,h. 15 Julv, 17G0 ; m. Joseph Pearson, of Haverhill, and 

d. 7 Oct., 1839. 
Sarah, b. 11 May, 1764 ; m. Michael Johnston, of Haverhill. 

Nathaniel^ (Nathaniel,* Nathaniel,^ Jolm,'^ Thomas^), b. in 
Newbury, Mass., 12 Dec, 1753 ; m. Abigail Bradley, 
24 Sept., 1782 ; she was b. in Haverhill, Mass , 10 
May, 1760, and d. in B. 31 Oct., 1836. He d. in B. 
4 March, 1841. 

Elizabeth, h. 1 Sept., 1784 ; )n. Timothy Copp. 

Isaac, b. 8 Dec, 1786. 

Mari/, h. 10 Aug. 1788; m. Bean, of Salisbury; d. 22 Aug., 

1834. 

Hannah, b. 19 March. 1791; m. ■ Hubbard, of Canterbury, and 

d. 17 July, 183.5. 

Benjamin, b. 10 Aug., 1792; moved to Maine; unmarried. 

Abigail, b. 2 March, 1798; m. Laws ; d. in Peterborough, 4 

Oct., 1832. 

Jonathan^ (Nathaniel,'' Nathaniel,^ John,- Thomas^), b. in New- 
bury, Mass., 30 Dec, 1756 ; grad. at D. C. ; m. Bet- 
sey Pettingill, 6 Feb., 1794, and was ordained pastor 
of the Congregational church in Limington, Me., 15 
Oct., same year ; d. 27 March, 1837. 

Jonathan, b. 16 March, 1795, in Limington, Me., and d. in Lowell, 

Mas.?., 11 March. 1852. 
Nathaniel, b. 16 Aug., 1796; d. IS Oct., 1796. 
Nathaniel, b. 10 Aug., 1797, in Limington, Me., and d. there, 29 

March, 1834. 
Richard P., b. 5 April, 1799. 

Joseph^ (Nathaniel,* Nathaniel,^ John,- Tliomas^), b. in New- 
bur}-, Mass., 28 Ajn-il, 1758; ni. Anna Atkinson, 
grand-dau. of his uncle Joseph. He moved to B. v»ith 
his father in 1769, and d. 20 March, 1830. 

Peahody, b. 30 Dec, 1804. 

Hervey, b. 19 July, 1806; unmarried; resides on the old homestead 
in B. 

Susan, b. 12 March, 1808; m. Geo. Jolinston, of Haverliill. 

Henry, b. 10 July, 1809; m. Mary, dau. of his uncle Theodore, and 
d. 5 April, 1864. 

Ann, b. 30 July, 1812; m. ]Michael Jolmston, of Haverhill; d. 
April, 1859. 
Benjamin^ (Nathaniel,* Nathaniel,^ John,'^ Thomas^), b. 7 Jan., 

1761 ; m. Jane Varney 8 Jul}^, 1784 ; lived in B. 
^ Sarah, b. 19 July, 1785; m. Dyer Abbot, of Henniker. 

James Varney, b. 9 Dec, 1787; d. 1875, in Lowell, Mass. 

Ja7ie, b. 30 June, 1791; d. in Rochester, N. Y. 





^cw 




\A^L4d-rh 



GENEALOGICAL ATKINSON. 471 

Theodore^ (Nathaniel,* Nathaniel/ John,^ Thomas^), b. in New- 
bury, Mass., 30 Sept., 1769; m. Abiah Kimball, 4 
Sept., 1803; lived in Boscawen, and d. 30 Sept., 1828. 

Peter Kimball, b. 20 July, 1804; d. 20 March, 1817. 
Fanny b. April, 1807; ra. Sullivan Jackinan, 1837; d. 1844. 
George W., b. March, 1810; unmarried. 
Mary, b. April, 1S14; m. Henry Atkinson, Dec, 1842. 
Ruth, b. 1818; d. 1822. 
Abiah, b. 1821; m. Henry Rolfe. 
Samuel^ (Joseph,* Nathaniel,^ John,- Thomas^), b. in NeAvbury, 

Mass., 24 Sept., 1748, and lived in B. He served as 

a lieutenant and captain in the war of Independence ; 

m. Sarah Bamford, of Sanbornton, 1777 ; d. 4 Oct., 

1796. She d. 30 Jan., 1843, cTt. 87. 

Joaeph, b. 6 Dec, 1777. 

Susanna, b. 30 Oct., 1779; d. 1804. 

Anna, b. 18 April, 1782; m. Joseph Atkinson. 

Nathaniel Peahndy, b. 15 Jan., 1785. 

Samuel, b. 27 Sept., 1788. 

Jacob, b. 30 Dec, 1790; unmarried; grad. at Brown University; 
d. 13 Feb., 1836. 
Simeon^ (Joseph,* Nathaniel,^ John,"^ Thomas^), b. in Newbury, 
Mass., 30 March, 1754 ; moved to B. with his father, 
and settled on Fish street, in 1767 ; m. Phebe Clark, 
23 April, 1781 ; d. 24 Feb., 1827. She d. 2 April, 
1830. 

Silas, b. 28 Dec, 1781. 

Daniel Clark, b. 8 Sept., 1784. 

Simeon, b. 10 Feb., 1791; unmarried; d. 20 Aug., 1865. 

Hannah, h. 8 July, 1795; m. James H. Gill, 12 Aug., 1830; d. 22 
July, 1850. 

Hale, b. 3 March, 1799; unmarried; d. 15 April, 1874. 

Isaac*' (Nathaniel,^ Nathaniel,* Nathaniel,^ John,"-^ Thomas^), b. 6 

Dec, 1786; m. Bean ; d. 27 Jan., 1858. 

Bradley, b. 10 May, 1810. 
Peabody*^ (Joseph,^ Nathaniel,* Nathaniel,^ John,- Thomas^), b. 
in B. 30 Dec, 1804 ; m. Marenda Elliot, of B., 31 
• Oct., 1831 ; moved to Ohio, and settled in Licking 
Co. He d. at Pataskala, 8 July, 1863. She d. 3 May, 
1866. 
Mary Frances, b. 4 Nov., 1832. 
Wiliiam Henry, b. 26 Nov., 183G; d. 25 July, 1839. 
Joseph, h. 23 Jan., 1839. 
Georcjc Johnston, b. 22 Feb., 1841. 
Samuel Peabody, b. 24 Nov., 1843; grad. D. C, 1866; m. Irene 

Schobe; lives in Champaign Co., 111. 
Annie Louisa, b. 16 Nov., 1847; d. 5 July, 1848. 
Nettie Eliza, b. 9 Jan., 1852; d. March, 1856. 



472 GENEALOGICAL ATKINSON. 

Joseph*^ (Sauiuel,^ Joseph,^ Nathaniel,^ John,^ Thomas^), b. in B., 

6 Dec, 1777; m. Sarah Blaisdell, 1807. He was 

colonel of the 21st Eegt. N. H. Militia. He d. 28 

Feb., 1845. 
Hiram Lang, b. 1807. 

FranlcUn Peabodi/, b. 6 June, 1810; m. Irene Hosiner; no cliildren. 
Amanda, h 12 Dec, 1812; m. Dr. James Ewing, of Hebron, O., 

Nov., 1835. She d. 1815. 
Nathaniel Peabody'^ (Samuel,^ Joseph,* Nathaniel,^ John,^ 

Thomas^), b. in B. 15 Jan., 1785 ; m. Betsey D., dau. 

of Michael and Sarah Atkinson Johnston, 8 Oct., 1827 ; 

lived in Ohio Co., W. Va. ; d. 13 Nov., 1868. 
diaries Peahody, b. 8 Oct., 1828. 
Hale Johnston, b. 31 Jan., 1830; d. 25 Aug., 1832, 
Sarah Johnston, b. 26 Jan., 1834. 
Julia Amanda, b. 25 Nov., 1835. 
Augusta Hale, b. 25 Sept., 1838; d. 13 Feb., 1810. 
Samuel B., b. 24 Aug., 1840; d. 30 July, 1844. 
Edward Melancthon, b. 3 May, 1842. 
Helen Maria, b. 14 April, 1845. 

Hamuei/ (Samuel,^ Joseph,* Nathaniel,^ John,- Thomas^), b. in B. 
27 Sept., 1788 ; grad. at Brown University ; m., 1st, 
Lucy Moulton, 13 May, 1819 ; 2d, Mary Chase 
Moulton, 22 July, 1822 ; 3d, Maria Withington, 17 
March, 1825. Resided in Chillicothe, 0., Wheeling, 
W. Va., and Pataskala, 0. 

Lucg Moulton, b. in Chillicothe, O., 13 Dec, 1820; m. Dr. Wm- 
W. Sanger, 28 Dec, 1849. 

Charles Hammond, b. 26 Jan., 1824; d. 19 Aug., 1824. 

Mary Moulton, b. 31 July, 1827 ; d. 20 July, 1828. 

Sarah Ann, b. at Wheeling, W. Va., 11 Feb., 1829; d. 15 Feb., 
1840. 

William Edgerton, b. at Wheeling, W. Va., 25 June, 1832. 

Mary TF., b. 11 May, 1835; m. Jonas Aylsworth ; d. at Attica, 
Ind., 9 Sept., 1877. 

Samuel Peahody, b. 9 Dec, 1836; d. 23 July, 1838. 

Henry Martyn, b. 9 Sept., 1838. 

Susan Lamlxlin, b. 8 Jan., 1841 ; d. young. 

Maria Sumner, b. 5 June, 1843; d. 20 Dec, 1844. 

SiLAS^ (Simeon,^ Joseph,* Nathaniel,^ John," Thomas^), b. 28 
Dec, 1781; m., 1st, Dorothy Shepard ; 2d, Sally 
Hutchins. He d. at Sanbornton, 25 Sept., 1837. 

Dorothy, h. 28 March, 1812; m. Samuel A. Ambrose, 23 Nov., 
1836; d. 23 Mny, 1870. 

Atherates,h. 14 Feb., 18^5. 

Asenath H., b. 17 March, 1817 ; m. John M. Whicher, of North- 
field, 19 Nov., 1840. 

Alexander Wellington, b. 1 Feb., 1819; d., at Youiiers, N. Y., 23 
March, 1839. 



GENEALOGICAL ATKINSON. 473 

Horatio Nelson, b. 20 July, 1832. 

Hanndi, b. 7 Sept., 1827; drowned 25 Aug., 1830. 

Simeon Aristides, b. 25 Sept., 1830. 
Daniel Clakk^ (Simeon,^ Joseph,* Nathaniel,^ John,^ Thomas^), 
b. 8 Sept., 1784. His talents, early developed, in- 
duced his father to jdace him under the instruction of 
Eev. Dr. Wood, where he was fitted for and entered 
Dartmouth college, in 1802. His college life was 
characterized by industry, sobriety, and fidelity, and 
in 1806 he graduated with a full share of the "honors 
of his class. Soon after, he entered tlie law office of 
Daniel Webster, of Boscawen, as a student, to receive 
the guidance and instruction of that distinguished 
lawyer and civilian, then in the morning of his intel- 
lectual superiority. Eemaining there until Mr. Web- 
ster removed to Portsmouth, he continued his legal 
studies with Parker Noyes, of Salisbury (now Frank- 
lin). After three years' pre^jaration with Mr. Web- 
ster and Mr. Noyes, he was admitted to the bar in 
1809, when he opened an office at Sanbornton Bridge 
(now Tilton), which he occupied until his death. He 
was elected to the senate and council for successive 
years, when he was appointed by Gov. Morrill judge 
of probate for old Strafford county, comprising what 
is now Strafford, Belknap, and Carroll counties — an 
office he held until 1839. His public services cover a 
period of nineteen years. After his death, Hon. Ly- 
man B. Walker said of him, — " His heart and hand 
were unaffectedly^ open as day to melting charity. 
Where can the poor man, the widow, and the orphan 
now find a living heart so feeling and ready to relieve 
as was his ? To the traveller long accustomed to pass 
through that interesting village, what can he see that 
does not remind him of Daniel Clark Atkinson? Is 
it the Academy? He obtained its charter, and more 
than helped to build that institution. Is it the two 
churches to be seen there? In them, too, he lives as 
first patron. With most there seen is mingled the 
memory of his originating, devising, and helping hand, 
to bring them into sight and usefulness. The doors 
of his house and heart were never closed against the 
oppressed and suffering, b}^ night or by day. His 
surviving neighbors, few, very few, of his acquaint- 
ance, can withhold the tribute of a tear to moisten the 
cypress that waves over his tomb." M., 1st, Mahala 
Tiltdn ; 2d, Mehitable, her sister. He d. 5 April, 
1842. 



474 GENEALOGICAL ATKINSON. 

Child of Mahala, : 
Napoleon Bonaparte, b. 14 April, 1819. 

Cliildren of Mehitable : 
Mahala T., b. 26 Feb., 1833: d. 12 Dec, 1851. 

Josephine B.,h.2o Oct., 1835; m. John H. Goodale; resides in 
Nashua; three children, — one, Charlotte Atkinson, living. 
Charlotte, b. 29 Dec, 1837 ; music teacher in Concord. 

Richard^ (Jonathan,^ jSTatlianiel,* Nathaniel,'^ John,^ Tliomas^), 

h. and lived on the old homestead, in Limington, Me.; 

m. Alice Gerry, 15 Oct., 1837 ; d. 2 Dec, 1865. 

Nathaniel, b. 17 Oct.. 1838 ; d. 12 May, 1873, at Cincinnati, Ohio. 

John P., b. U Dec, 1810; d. 9 Nov., 1802, Leesburg, Va., while in 

the service of liis country. ■ 
William II., b. 29 Jan., 1812. 

Elizabeth, b. 27 Jan., 1841; m. Ezra Miles, Jr., of Limington, ]Me. 
Anna J., b. 31 Oct., 1851 ; ni. P. S. Griffith, of Boston. 

Bradley' (Isaac,® Nathaniel,^ Natlianiel,'' Nathaniel,'"' John," 
Thomas^), b. 10 May, ISIU ; m., 1st, Hannah Tucker, 
19 Dec, 1838, who \l. 1850 ; 2d, Sugan S. Thurston, 
11 May, 1852 ; resides in Boscawen. 

Elvira C. b. 8 Nov., 1839. 

Edmund W., b. 10 Jan.. 1843. 

Edwin B., h. 3 May, 1817. 

George C, h. 22 May, 1858. 

Joseph^ (Peabody,® Joseph,^ Nathaniel,* Nathaniel,^ John,- 

Thomas^), b. 23 Jan., 1839 ; m. Julia C, dau. of Dr. 

James Ewing, of Hebron, 0., 10 Oct., 1872. He re- 

, sides on the homestead, from which his father cleared 

the primeval forest, near Pataskala, 0. 

Charles Ewing, b. 20 July, 1873. 
Florence Elliot, b. 14 April, 1875. 
Frank Peahody, b. 1 April, 1877. 

George Johnsto^^'^ (Peabody,*^ Joseph,^ Nathaniel,* Nathaniel,^' 
John,- Thomas^), b. 22 Feb., 1841; grad. at Marietta 
College, 18G4 ; attorney-atdaw, Columbus, 0. ; m. 
Madge R. McGeah, 12 Sept., 1872. 
John Guy McGeah, b. 9 Sept., 1873. 
Ethel Elliot, b. 13 Feb., 1876. 

Hiram Lang'^ (Joseph,*^ Samuel,^ Joseph,* Nathaniel,^ John,'^ 
Thomas^), b. in B., 1807; resided in Licking Co., 0. ; 
m. Elizabeth Beach, April, 1839 ; d. Dec, 1840, She 
d. Feb., 1841. 
Martha Beach, b. June, 1840; d. 1864. 

William Edgerton'' (Samuel,® Samuel,^ Joseph,* Nathaniel, '^ 
John,^ Thomas^) b. at Wheeling, W. Va., 25 June, 



GENEALOGICAL ATKINSON. 475 

1832; m. Mary Frances, dau. of Pealjody Atkinson, 

28 Dec, 1857 • resides in Newark, 0. 
Alice WitJdnfjfon, h. 6 Nov., 1858. 

Samuel McClellan,} , ,„ . ., ,„., ^ d- 1 Nov., 186:1. 
Thomas Peahody, j ^- ^' ^^P'"''' 1^'^^' \ d. 17 Oct., ISGo. 
Nathaniel Peabo'li/, h. 11 Oct., 18G4. 
William Harry, b. 9 Jan., 1870. 

Henry Martyn'^ (Samuel,'^ 8amnel,^ Josepli,"* ISTatlianiel,^ Jolm,"'^ 
Thomas^), b. at Wheeling, W. Va., 9 Sept., 1838 ; m. 
Kate, dan. of Hon. Thomas W. Tipton, of Brownville, 
Neb. He is now surveyor-general of the territory of 
ISTew Mexico, and resides at Santa Fe. 
Alice. 

Atharates'^ (Silas,*' Simeon,^ Joseph,^ Nathaniel,^ John,- Thom- 
as^), b. in B., 14 Feb., 1815 ; m. Martha Jane Fort, of 
Milledgeville, Ga., 25 Dec, 1839 ; resides in Madison, 
Cla. 

Charles Bacon, b. 21 Sept., 1840. 

Alfred Overton, b. 13 Dec, 1811. 

Marcellus, b. ] May, 1843. 

Alexander Wellington, b. 22 Jane, 1814. 

Helen Oleliea, b. 22 Sept., 1815. 

Silas Fort, b. 12 July, 1847. 

Hale Arisddes, b. 14'Nov., 1818. 

Eugene Judson, b. 13 June, 1850. 

Everett Gill, b. 11 April, 1852. 

Cora Virginia, b. 12 Oct.. 1853. 

Rom Bell, b. 22 Sept., 1855. 

Millard Fillmore, b. 15 Oct., 1856. 

Paul Foster, b. 18 Sept., 1858. 

Beatrice May, b. 26 Jan., 1860. 

Horatio Nelson'^ (Silas,'' Simeon,^ Joseph,* Nathaniel,^ John,- 
Thomas^), b. in B. 20 July, 1822 ; ni. Susan Pearson 
Durgin, 10 Nov., 1846 ; resides in Tilton. 

Frances Maria, b. 28 Oct., 1849: d. 10 July, 1863. 

Leroy Samuel, b. 31 March, 1852. 

Simeon Aristides'^ (Silas,^ Simeon,^ Joseph,* Nathaniel,^ John,"-^ 
Thomas^), b. in Sanbornton, 25 Sept., 1830 ; m. Mary 
Etholinda Potter, of Madison, Ga., a native of St. 
Croix, W. I., 8 Oct., 1851. 

Frank Hale, b. in Marietta, Ga., 6 July, 1852. 

Alice Louisa, b. in Marietta, Ga., 25 Dec, 1854; d. 4 March, 1875. 

Sally Hutchins, b. in Augusta, Ga., 7 June, 1857. 

Leora Etholinda, b. in Augusta, Ga., 15 Sept. 1859. 

Simeon Arthur, b. in Augusta, Ga., 15 Jan., 1862. 

Marie Eddrienne, b. in Madison, Ga., 4 Sept., 1864. 

Katie Lena, h. in Athens, Ga., 27 Nov., 1871. 

CoraAdelia, b. in Mount Vernon, N. Y., 15 Jan., 1875. 



476 GENEALOGICAL BISHOP, BURBANK. 

Napoleon Boxapaete" (Daniel Olark,'' Simeon,^ Joseph,* Na- 
thaiiiel,^ John,- Thomas^), b. in Sanhornton, 14 April, 
1819 ; m. Zapharine Robinson, of Sanbornton ; re- 
sides in Madison, Ga. 
Mary Ella, b. 23 March, 1855; d. 24 July, 1855. 

William H.^ (Richard P.,*' Jonatlian,^ Nathaniel,* Nathaniel,^ 
John,^ Thomas^), b. 29 Jan., 1842 ; ni. Mary H. Cui- 
rier, 9 Jan., 1868 ; resides in Chelsea, Mass. 

Georqe T., b. Nov., 18G8. 

Artlmr P., b. 21 Nov., 1870; d. 4 Jan., 1876. 

Louisa F., h. 27 June, 1873. 

BISHOP. 

Bishop, Josiaii.^ One of the first settlers of B. He was cap- 
ured by the Indians in 1740, at the south end of King 
st., while at work in his tield, taken into the woods, 
and killed. [See Civil Hist.] 

Exos,- son of Josiah, ni. Elizabeth Bel]an\y, of Newbury, 21 
Nov., 1749. In 1754, when the Indians attacked the 
house of Philij) Call, at South Franklin, he was one Ox 
the party sent in pursuit of the savages, and was cap- 
tured [see Hist.] and taken to Canada, from whence 
he made his escape ; enlisted in Revolutionary service. 
Col. Cilley's reg't ; was in battles of Saratoga and 
Stillwater ; d, in the army, 8 Aug., 1778. 

Jonah, b. 7 Oct., 1750. 
Susannah, b. 5 Dec, 1753. 

John, b. 10 Dec. 1757; son of a second wife, — Anna. 
Elizabeth, b. 31 Jan.. 17G0. 
Sarah, b. 31 Jan., 1762; ni. Ezekiel Flanders. 
Hannah, b. 17 May, 1761. 
Benjamin, h. 22 Oct., 1766. 

Enos, b. 21 Nov., 1769. The family moved to Lisbon, N. II., in 
1769. 

BURBANK. 

Joseph^ came to America in the ship Abigail, from London, 1635. 
He spelled his name Barebanke. He is registered as 
being 24 years old at the time. It is not known 
Avhere he settled. 

JoHN,^ of Haverhill, probably was his son. He married 15 Oct., 
1663, Susanna, dau. Nathan Morrill. He moved from 
Haverhill to Sulfield, 1680. 



GENEALOGICAL BURBANK. 477 

Moses/ Capt. It is supposed tliat he was grandson of John. 
He was one of the first settlers of B., and came from 
Bradford, Mass., 1733. He m. Sarah Emery, probably 
sister of Edward Emery, a first settler of B. 

Moses, h. 26 June, 1741; m. Sarah Danfortli. 

Samuel, h. Ang.. 17-45; m. Eunice Pettingill. 

Nnlhanlel, b. 14 Dec. 1747; m. Mary Durgin. 

Molly, b. 22 Feb., 1749 ; m. Cutting Noyes; resided in B. 

David, b. 4 July, 1754; d. 4 Nov., 1815." 

Wells, b. 8 Aug., 1756. He lived at one time on Water st., in a 

log house, on land now owned by G. W. Fisher ; taught 

school. 
Sarah, b. Sept., 1758; ra. Benjamin Blanchard. 
Beiti/, b. 1 Dec, 1760; m. Benjamin Bolter. 
Eleazer, h. 19 Jan., 1763; m. Abigail Burbank. 

MosES^ (Moses,* Capt.), b. 1741; m. Mary' Danf orth. 

Josiah,h.'30 June, 1761 ;. probably taught school in West Bos- 

cawen, 1784. 
Nathaniel, h. 1 Sept., 1763. 
Jonathan, b. 29 May, 1765; m. Salome Cass. 
Daniel, b. 4 Jan., 1767; m. Hannah Eastman. He was school 

teacher in 1788. 
Stephen, b. 3 Feb., 1768; d. same year. 
Stephen, b. 1769; m. Mary Garvcn. 
Silas, b. 10 Marcli, 1771 ; d. in the army. 
Priscilla, h. 8 April, 1773; m. Jedediah Danfortli. 
Hazen, b. 18 Oct., 1775. 
Hannah, b. 12 April, 1779. 
Moses, h. 4 Jan., 1781. 

Samuel^ (Moses,* Capt ), b. Aug., 1745 ; m. Eunice Pettingill. 
Joseph, b. 23 Aug., 1771; unmarried. 
Sarah, b. 28 Aug., 1773; m. Caleb Colman. 
Eunice, b. 2 May, 1775. 

Samuel, b. 25 March, 1777; m. Molly Jackmau. 
Moses, b. 12 Oct., 1778. 
Judith, h. 25 Sept., 1780; m. David Corser. 

Josiah, b. 11 July, 1782; ni. Chandler. 

Jonathan, b. 11 April, 1784. 
Nathan, b. 24 Feb., 1786. 
Elizabeth, b. 6 June, 1788. 

Caleb, Rev., b. 12 Aug., 1792; m., 1st, Elizabeth Gillet, Kingsville, 
O., 1830; 2d, Delphia Harris, Florence, O., 1833. 

:N'athanielS (Mose.s,* Capt.), b. 1747 ; m. Mary Durgin. 
John, b. 10 Aug., 1778. 

David^ (Moses,* Capt.), b. 4 July, 1754 ; m., 1st, Mary Little, 

dau. of Enoch Little ; 2d, Dorothy Lowell. He built 

and lived in the parsonage on Boscawen Plain, moved 

from thence to Bashan, to the farm now owned by 

I ol 



478 GENEALOGICAL — BURBANK. 

Azro S. Burbank, thence to the house now occupied 
by Friend L. Burbank, thence to " Schoodic," in War- 
ner, where he d. 

Children of Mary : 

Sarah, b. 9 Feb.. 1779; m. Moses Smitli, Salisbury. 
Abigail, b. 20 jiarch, 1780 ; d. 18 July, 181^5. 
Abraham, b. IG Nov., 1781; d. U Jan., 1856. 
Eliezer, b. 1 Jan., 1785 ; m. Dru.silla Flanders, of B. 
Little, b. 2 Feb., 1787; d. 17 Nov., 1870. 
Jesse, b. 13 June, 1790; d. in U. S. Navy. 
Enoch, b. 20 July, 1793 ; moved to Michigan. 
Judith, b. 10 July, 1798 ; m. Benj. Carter, of B. 

Children of Dorothy : 

2Iicah,m. Mary Eastman. 
Mary, m. True Jone.*. 

Wells^ (Moses/ Capt.), b. 1756. 

3Iolh/,h. 2 Sept., 1784. 
Betsei/, b. 2G Feb., 1787. 
Eiiezer, b. 13 Nov., 1788. 

Abraham^ (David^) m., 1st, Mary Call ; 2d, Polly, dan. of Benj. 
Jackman, of B. [See Biog.] 

Children of Mary : 

Friend IJllle, b. 29 June, 1800. 
Joanna Call, h. 5 Marcli, 1808; d. 19 Feb., 1843. 
Mary Little, h. 16 Nov., 1809 ; m. Woodman Jackman, of B. 
Sophronia Gerrish, b. 25 Aug., 1812; d. 22 Feb., 1847. 
Judith Call, h. 2 Nov., 1815; m. J. Warren Jackman : d. 21 Nov., 
1847. 

Children of Polly : 

George Washington, b. 29* June, 1819; d. 16 May, 1873. 

David Emory, b. 16 May, 1822. 

Bitfield Plummer, b. 1 March, 1824; d. in Cab, 1860. 

Abraham Pettingill, b. 2 Nov., 1825; m. Augusta Itunnels, of B. ; 
resides in Cal. 

Azro Sheridan, b. 29 Aug., 1827. 

EzeJciel Webster, b. 16 June, 1829 ; m., 1st, Martha A. Pillsbnry, 
of B. ; 2d, Emelie Hunkins, of Sanbornton ; volunteer 16th 
N. n. Reg't; d. on the Mississippi, 1863. 

Amanda Jane, b. 11 June, 1831 ; m. Horatio N. Webber, of B. 

Little/ Capt. (David,'^ Moses,* Capt.) m. Judith C, dan. of Joshua 
Jackman. [See Biog.] 

Lucretia Little, b. 13 April, 1819 ; d. 12 Dec, 1838. 
Hannah Farmer, b. 27 Sept., 1821 ; d. 19 Feb., 1842. 
Emulous Warren, b. 20 Nov., 1825. 
Calvin 3Iorris, b. 16 Juue, 1832; d. May, 1860. 



GENEALOGICAL — BURPEE. 479 

Friend Little" (ALi-aliam," DavicF) m. Dorothy Jacknian, of B. 
[See Biog.] 
Lucretia Little, h. 21 i\[ay, 1840; d. 10 Auo-., 1861. 
William Wirt, b. 13 Sept., 1842. 
Joanna Clough, b. 22 June, 18i6; d. 23 Dec., 1848. 
Irvin Abram, b. 18 April, lSi>i. 
Almon Friend, h. 17 Oct., 18r>7. 

David E.^ (Abraham,^ David^) ra. Mary Elliot, of Canterbury ; 

residesat ]STorwich,Vt. ; Lieut. 16th K. H. A^^Iunteers. 

[See Biog.] 
Alma M., b. 1 Jan., 1847; m. William Walton, Phila. 
Emily, b. 23 Sept., 1848 ; m. AVm. T. Strout, Manchester, N. H. 
Ann M.. h. 24 May, ISoO. 
Winfidd S., h. 27 Jan., 1852 ; d. 13 Feb., 1852. 
Charles E., b. 19 Jan., 1856 ; d. 19 Nov., 1857. 
William E., b. 19 June, 1860. 
Alfred P., b. 26 Feb., 1863; d. 15 May, 1877. 
Cora E., b. 8 Nov., 1864. 

AzKO Sheridan" (Ahraham,« David^) m. Emeh'ne S. Burpee, of 
B. ; resides in Webster. 
Carrie Maud, b. 6 Jan., 1865. 
Effa Aden, b. 28 April, 1869. 

Emulous W.^ (Little,« David^) m. Mary A. Eunnels ; resides in 
Lawrence, Mass. 
Alvin H., b. 30 July, 1851 ; ra. Ella Hustus, of Lawrence, Mass. 
Anna Aufjusta, b. 19 Oct., 1861 ; d. 6 Dec. 1861. 
Ernest Wilcox, h. 29 Oct., 1863. ' 

Calvin Morris^ (Little,«David5) m. Louisa Kichols. [See Biog.] 
Louisa Nichols, b. 29 June, 1856. 

William Wirt^ (Friend L.,« Abraham") m. Ellen I\L Dow, of 
Concord. 
Ellen Lucretia, b. 12 June, 1867. 
Sarah Chandler, b. 2 June, 1869. 
Alice Mabel, b. 4 June, 1871. 

BUKPEE. 

Compiled by Augustus Burpee, of New llamptou. 

Jeremiah,! b. inCandia, 1748 ; m. Elizabeth, dau. of Max- 
field; settled first in Sandwich, afterwards in Epping; 
moved to B., 1792, on to a farm since owned by Solo- 
mon Arey. He w^as a brickmaker by trade. 

Betsey, d. young. 

Jeremiah, b. 1781. 

Nathaniel, b. 1783. 

Betsey. 



480 GENEALOGICAL BURPEE. 

Eliphalet, d. at French Mills, Ca. 

Esther, m. Jolm Jackinan ; d. G Dec, 1850. 

Martha^ m. Caleb Jackman. 

Jeremiah- (Jeremiah^) m. Nancy Wells, of Loudon, 1804 ; set- 
tled near the " Gulf," on the turnpike, where he car- 
ried on the pottery and brick-making business until 
his death, 16 Nov., 1862. His wife was thrown from 
the Gulf bridge and killed, 27 Dec, 1817. He m., 2d, 
Sally D., dau. of William Gill, 28 April, 1818. 

Children of Nancy : 

Eliza, b. 4 Feb., 1805 ; m. John Knowlton. 

Judith W., b. 8 March, 1807; ni. Reuben Goodwin, of Concord. 

Joshua W.,h.28 April, 1809; m. Mary Ann Webster, of Salis- 
bury, 1 JaT)., 1833; d. 23 Dec, 1839. 

Leivis, b. 1811; d. 10 Nov., 1813. 

Augustus, b. 12 July, 1812; ni. Sarah, dau. of Benjamin Robinson, 
of New Hampton, 25 Sept., 1837, where they now reside. 
Member of the legislature, 1875. Three cliildren. 

Roxa, b. 3 Feb., 1815; m. James II. Peabody, of Methuen, Mass. 

Mary .S., b, 9 Feb., 1817 ; m. Hiram Simpson, 24 March, 1836. 

Children of Sally : 

WelL'i, b. 29 Dec, 1818; d. 22 Feb., 1819. 

Ruth, b. 4 July, 1820; d. 10 Dec, 1833. 

Samuel G.,h.'i Aug., 1822; m. Betsey E. Patch. 

Jeremiah, b. 20 July, 1824; m. Ann E. Reed. 

Sail]/ Anji., h. 15 Oct., 1827; m. Levi Carter, 19 Dec. 1860; d. 6 

Aug., 1806. 
James G., b. 3 June, 1830; m. Rebecca E. Jackson, 6 March, 1863; 

d. 27 July, 1876. 
John G., b. 1 Aug., 1832: d. 15 March, 1859. 
Grace Ann, b. 28 Feb., 1835; d. 1840. 
Infant, b. and d. Nov., 1836. 
Daniel Webster, b. 8 June, 1838; d. 1839. 
Martha J., b. 4 Oct., 1811; m. Geo. L. Raymond, 14 Dec, 1861. 

Nathaniel,^ b. 27 Eeb., 1782 ; m. Catharine Griffin, of Deer- 
field, 1803 ; moved to Cambridge, Mass., in 1825 ; d. 
there 4 Aug., 1868. 

Thomas G., b. 16 Oct., 1805; d. 22 April, 1807. 

Joseph E., b. 1 Feb., 1807; m. Belinda Woodbury, 8 Jan., 1835. 

Fanny G., b. 17 Nov., 1H09; d. Marcli, 1877. 

Nathaniel, b. 21 April, 1812; d. 19 Oct., 1836. 

Eliphalet, b. 25 Feb., 1814 ; m. Jane Masterman. 

Catharine, b. 23 Feb., 1817; d. 14 Feb., 1819. 

Sally G., b. 1 March, 1819; d. 5 Nov., 1822. 

Samuel W., b. 8 April, 1821 ; d. 4 June, 1876. 

Martha T. J., b. 19 Sept., 1823. 

Abigail (?., b. 6 July, 1827 



GENEALOGICAL BUTLER, BUXTON. 481 



BUTLER. 

Nehemiah, lawyer, descended from the first settlers of Pelliam, 
was born in that town 22 Feb., 1824 ; received his ed- 
ucation at the common schools in his native town, 
at Pinkerton academ_y, in Derry, and at Pembroke 
academy ; studied law at the law school at Harvard 
University, and in the office of Hon. Asa Fowler, in 
Concord ; was admitted to the Merrimack county bar 
in March, 1848, and soon after commenced the "busi- 
ness of his profession in B. He married Mary Ma- 
goon, dau. of Kichard Gage, 14 JSTov., 1849. Ii/lSrov., 
1852, he was appointed clerk of the Superior Court of 
Judicature, and Court of Common Pleas for the coun- 
ty of Merrimack, succeeding Hon. N. B. Baker, and 
moved to Concord, where he resided and held said 
clerkship until 1860, when he returned to B. and re- 
sumed the practice of law. In March, 1862, he was 
elected a county commissioner, and held tlnit office 
until April, 1868. Upon the decease of Hon. J. D. 
Sleeper, he was reappointed clerk of the courts for 
Merrimack county, and held that office one year. In 
1869 and 1870 he represented the town of B. in the 
legislature. During the late war he was agent of the 
town to furnish its quota of soldiers and attend to the 
financial affairs connected therewith. He also served 
in the capacity of selectman and town treasurer seven 
years. July 2oth, 1876, he was appointed judge of 
probate for the county of Merrimack, which office he 
now holds. 

Charles Nehemiah. b. '26 April, 185-3. 

George Gage, b. 31 March, 1854; d. 27 July, 1851. 

Susan Olive, b. 17 June, 18.55; d. 5 Aug., 1856. 

John Gage, b. 1 Dec, 1856. 

Benjamin Franklin, b. 30 Oct., 1858. 

Calvin Gage, b. 8 Feb., 1865. 

BUXTON. 

Edward, Rev., pastor Cong, church, Webster ; b. in New Boston 
[see Biog.] ; m., 1st, Elizabeth McFarland, of Con- 
cord ; 2d, Lois Jewett, of Laconia ; od, Mrs. Louise 
Frances [Dix] Pillshury, of B. 

Children of Elizabeth : 

Elizabeth McFarland, h. 2 April, 1839. Preceptress Female Acad- 
emy, Zanesville, O. 
Edward, b. 25 May, 1811; d. 6 Dec, 1814. 



482 GENEALOGICAL CARTER. 

CARTER. 

The Carter family of Boscawen descended from 

Thomas^ and Mary Carter, who were among the early settlers ot 
Salisbury, Mass. 

JoHN,2 |j_ 18 May, 1650 ; m. Martha . 

Thomas,^ h. 9 March, 1683 ; m. Ann . 

Thomas," b. 29 Oct., 1707 ; m. Juda, b. 1714, who d. 13 Jan., 
1761. He went first to South Hampton, thence to 
B. Children recorded : 
Winthrop, b. 1736; d. 8 June, 1808. 

./esse, b. 29 Oct., 1750. " AVhen 9 years old, was killed wliile play- 
ing upon a side hill, by a stump rolling over liini." [Price's 
Ili.st. ]3osc.awen.] 
David, b. 5 Jan., 1753. " Supposed to have been killed by the kick 
of a horse, and his wagon wheel passing over his body." 

Levi. 

Anne, m. William Corser, who, with his son, was drowned in Great 
Pond. 

AYiXTHROP,^ Lieut. (Thomas,* Thomas,^ John'-}, m. Susanna, dau. 
of Joseph and Dorothy Eastman, 1757. She d. 9 
March, 1828. Lieut. Carter held various offices of 
trust, was a large landliolder in Boscawen and Canter- 
bury, licensed as inn-keeper 12 Oct., 1790, kept tav- 
ern in house nov\^ occupied by N. S. Webster, the 
front part of which he built, and planted the elm 
standing near. 

Jesse, b. 17 Aug., 1758; d. 17 Aug., 1828. 

Daniel, b. 19 Dec, 1759 ; d. 4 March, 1840. 

Nathan, b. 6 April, 1761 ; d. 25 Sept., 1810. 

Dorothy, b. 1762; ni. Josiali Eastman, Bradford, Yt. 

Jeremiah, b. 26 Ai)ril, 1761; m. Hannah Gerrish, 27 May, 1795; d. 
28 July, 1801. 

Jiulilh, b. 1766 ; d. 1785. 

Sarah, b. 6 Aprd,l769; m. Joshua Jackman; d. 12 May, 1796. 

JJumphrei/. b. 1771 ; went from home and never heard from. 

Mary, h. 7 May, 1773; m. John Gill; d. 27 March. 1859. 

Belsei/, m. Abnor Flanders, Warner; d. at Hyde Park, Vt. 

Naomi, h. 9 April, 1780; m. Caleb Putney; d. 12 Aug., 1852. 

Susanna, b. 25 May, 1782; m. David Elliott; d. 2 Feb., 1858. 

Daniel,*^ Lieut. (Winthrop,*^ Thomas"), enlisted at 16; served un- 
der Gens. Stark and Sullivan ; was at the battles of 
Bennington, Stillwater, Bemis Heights, and Saratoga ; 
■*^as wounded in R. I. Married Polly Atkinson, 15 
April, 1784. She d. 25 Sept., 1854. 



GENEALOGICAL CARTER. 483 

Danld, h. 10 March. 1785 ; d. 10 Sept. , 1873. 

Man/, b. 2(3 Jan., 1787; ra. John Osboine, Loudon, son of Jacob 

and Abigail 0.-;borne. 21 May. 181G; d. 16 Nov., 1856. 
.S'c7%, b. 27 April, 1790; d. 7 Sept., 1873. 

Xatiian'^ (Winthrop,^ Thomas'') kept tavern at the pUice now 
occupied by C. C. Hall ; ni. Sarah Farnum, West Con- 
cord. 

JwUlJi, h. 15 Dec, 1787; ui. John French; d. 13 Jan., 1871. 
Moses, h. () Auij., 1790; d. :;0 Mav, 1851. 
John, b. 10 Dec., 1797; d. June, 1850. 
Jeremiah, h. 20 Feb., 1803; d. 19 Nov., 1871. 
• - Nathan, b. 4 Feb., 1807 ; d. 10 Feb., 1875. 

Daxiel" (Dauiel,*^ Lieut., Winthrop^) m. Mrs. Sally Flint. 
Elbridge G.. b. 4 Dec, 1808. 

John" (Nathan,*^ Winthrop^) ni. Lydia Gill ; lived in Canterbury. 

Dradliurij G., b. 3 Feb., 1827; m. Asenath Spiller, Concord ; resides 

there. 
Luther, b. 2-i Au<?., 1829. 
John. b. 25 March, 1882; d. 25 Aug., 1833. 
John, b. 15 March, 1834. 

Sarah R., b. 4 Oct., 1838; 2d wife of Robert G. Morrison, Concord. 
William, b. 20 Dec, 1842; m. Mattie C. Wheeler, Canterbury. 

Jehemiah' (Nathan,^ Winthrop^) lived at [N'owbuiyport ; m., 1st, 
Sally Woodman ; 2d, Mary X. Young. 

Childre]! of Sally : 

William H., b. 4 Oct, 1828. 

Jeremiah, h. 2 March, 1830; d. in Newburyport. 

Sherman J., b. 25 Oct., 1831. 

Xalhan, b. 5 Jan., 1833; m. Lucy Grafton; resides in Stanwall 

East, Australia. 
Sarah C. b. 2 Oct., 1831; ni . ; resides in Lynn, Mass.; d. 

9 Nov.. 1869. 
John S., b. 25 Feb., 1836; ni. Annie W. Haskell, Gloucester, Mass.; 

resides there. 
Zuc?/ ir.. b. 1 May, J 838; m. Moses Davis, Newburyport; resides 

in Lynn, Mass. 

Children of ■Marj- : 
Richard r., b. 20 Jan., 181L 

Ellen J., b. 30 June, 1842; ni. Calvin Marden, Newburyport, re- 
sides in Canton, Mass. 
Georgianna, b. 3 Dec, 3 843 ; resides in Newburyport. 
Walter I., b. 21 May, 1815; d. in infancy. 

Nathan'^ (iSTathan,® Winthrop®) resided at i^ewburyport 20 years ; 
was conductor Newburyport & Georgetown Railroad ; 
universally beloved and respected ; m. Mary A. Pear- 
son. 



484 GENEALOGICAL CARTER. v,»i'' 

Mary A., b., 11 Nov., 1832; ni. Charles A. Todd; resides in 

Lynn, Mass. 
Sarah E., b. 2 April, 1834; m. John T. Burrill; resides in New- 

buryport. 
NatJian P., h. 27 April, 1836. 
Caroline E., h. 20 Jan., 1838; m. Charles C. Stockman; resides in 

Newbnryport. 
Li/dia P., b. 4 Nov., 1841; m. Albert J. Atkinson; resides in 

Newbnryport. 
Ellen J., b. 2 Oct., 184(3; d. 19 Aug., 1848. 
Edward T., b. 17 Oct., 1848. 

Elbridge G.,^ (Daniel,'' Daniel,* Lieut.) agent for U. S. & Can- 
ada Express, Concord, for many years ; resides at 
Concord; m. Sarah S. Hook, Concord. 

Mary 0., b. 10 Dec, 1836 ; m. L. E. Warren, Littleton, Mass., 
Professor of Mathematics, Colby Uuiversitv, Waterviile, 
Me. 

George W., b. 18 July, 1842. 
Luther^ (John,'' Nathan*') m. Mary A. Coffin, ISTewburyport ; re- 
sides there. 

Mary C, b. 1 Dec, 18.j.'5. 

Lillian F., b. 12 May, 1858. 

Luther E., b. 1 May, 1865; d. 1 Aug., 1865. 

JOHN^ (John/ Nathan*) m. Julia F. Bryant, Madrid, Me. 

Frank L.,h. 14 Feb., 1860. 

/. Wesley, h. 20 April, 1864. 

Jennie E., b. 20 Oct., 1874. 
William H.,** (Jeremiah,' Nathan'^) m. Ann W. Nowell, New- 
buryport. 

George IF., b. 17 Aug., 1855. 

Joh7i, h. 27 Oct., 1865. 

Georgianna, b. 5 July, 1874. 

Sherman J.^ (Jeremiah,'' Nathan*) m. Emma A. Dow; resides in 
Gloucester, Mass. 
Sherman, b. 26 April, 1851. 
John D., b. 3 July, 1856. 
Fred O.. b. 28 Sept.. 1860. 
Emma F. A.,h. 16 Sept., 1863. 

EiCHARD T,^ (Jeremiah,'' Nathan*) m. Annette Johnson, Ells- 
worth ; resides West Thornton. 
Mary A., b. 29 June, 1871. 
Nathax P.^ (Nathan,'' Nathan*) m. Caroline rvlcc, Boston ; re- 
sides in Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Bertie, b. 12 Nov., 1866, at St. Louis; d. in infancy. 
Hattie S.. b. 12 July, 1868, at St. Louis. 
Eugene J., b. 25 Oct., 1871, at Astoria, N. Y. 
Willie N., b. 23 March, 1876, at Brooklyn, N. Y. 



GENEALOGICAL CHADWICK. 485 

CHAD WICK. 

Charles was h. in England, 1596 ; came to America in 1630 ; 

settled at Watertown. The Chadvvicks of B. are 

without doubt his descendants. 
Edmund^ lived in Bradford, Mass. His children were, — 

Alar I/, Abigail, James, Samuel, Sarah, William, Ehenezer, Dorotlnj, 

Elizabeth. 

James, ^ b. 14 Dec, 1724 ; m. Mary Thurston. 

Hannah, b. 22 June, 1752; m. Jonathan Bhincliard, of Canterbury. 
Edmund, h. 2 April, 17.54; m. Susanna Atkinson; dea. of the 
church in B.; d. 20 Aug., 1819. 

Edmund, '^ b. 2 April, 1754; m. Susanna Atkinson. 

Samuel, b. 27 May, 178); m. Sarah Morrill, of Cai.terbury; lived 
on Water st. 

James, b. 1 June, 1782, in. Betsey Morrill, of B. 

Hannah, h. 15 Abxrch. 1781; m. James Watson, of 15. 

Joseph, b. 19 July. 1787 ; m., 1st, Judith Morrill, of B.; 2d, Eunice 
Bliss, of Lebanon. He was a clock-maker, lived in house 
north of academy, gave the land fur that edifice. His shop 
stood on spot now occupied by P.O., and it is now stand- 
ing on the opposite side of the street. Died in B. 

Manj, b. 2 Oct., 1791 ; m. Silas Call, of B. 

Ci/rus, b. 1 Oct., 1800; m. Eliza A. Nichols; moved to Ohio; d. in 
Newark, 10 May, 1870. 

Samuel* (Edmund^), b. 27 May, 1780 ; m. Sarah Morrill, of Can- 
terbury. 

Susan, b. 16 May, 1801; m. Bitfield Plummer. 

Caroline, b. 17 Dec, 1805; m. 1st, H. Foster, of Canterbury; 
moved to O. ; 2d, Barrows. 

Laban Morrill, b. 13 May, 18(^7; m. Eliza Hale, of Franklin; lives 
on Water st. 

Edmund Smith, 10 Mar., 1809; m., 1st, Elizabeth Sanborn, of 
Kingston; 2d, Emily Sanborn (sister). Published JSf. H. 
Observer at Concord; subsequently a trader in Concord; 
now living at Beloit, Wis. 

Albert Galatin, b., 8 Nov., 1810; m. Helen Martin; learned print- 
ing ; published Spirit of Inquiry at Concord ; established 
Caledonian at St. Johnsbury, Yt. ; d. St. Juhnsbury, 6 
Aug., 1863. 

Jeremiah Clough, b. 4 July. 1812; m., 1st, Abby Cate, of North- 
field; 2d, Pillsbury, of B. ; learned printing; re- 
sides on Water st. 

Peter Morrill, b. 24 April, 1815; m. Mary Hanson, of Warner ; re- 
sided at Irasburg, Vt. ; lives in B. 

Maria, b. 4 March, 1817; d. 27 June, 1833. 

Snrah Ann,h. 15 Feb., 1821; m. Dr. Thomas Currie, of North- 
field, practitioner in Webster; now residing at Lebanon. 

Eouisa, b. 3 May, 1823; d. 5 March, 1846. 



486 GENEALOGICAL CHADWICK. 

James^ (EdmuncF), h. 1 June, 1782 ; m. Betsey Morrill. 

Alonzo C, 10 Feb., 1810 ; m. Fitts, of Ciuidia. 

Louisa M., 12 April, 1812; d. 13 April, 1813. 

Cynthia, 9 Dec ; d. in infancy. 

Charles, 9 Sept., 1815; d. 5 April, 1816. 

Charles Johnson, 11 Sept., 1821; m. 1st, Eliza J. Moore, of Lou- 
don; 2d, Mrs. Lucretia E. Chandler, dau. of Joseph 
Morse, of B. ; lives iu B. \,6 '^■ 

Joseph* (EdmiuKF), h. 19 July, 1787 ; m., Ist, Betsey Morrill ; 
2d, Eunice Bliss. 

Calvin M., b. 15 July, 1813. 

Eunice, 17 July, 1822; m. Royce. 

Joseph . 

Cyrus" (Edmund^), h. 1 Oct., 1800 ; d. 10 May, 1870. 

Manj, 3 Sept., 1835; Charles, 20 Feb., 1837; yl/?;er/, 22 March, 
1839 ; Buron, 21 April, 1810 ; Sarah A., IS Sept., 1843;— 
living in O. 

Laban M.5 (Samuel,* EdnnuuP) b. 13 May, 1807 ; m. Eliza Hale. 

Hale, 3 Oct., 1841. 
John, 24 April, 1843. 
Harriet, 27 April 1845. 

Alonzo C.^ (James*), b. 10 Eeb., 1810; m. Eitts of Candia; 

lives in Lawrence, Mass. 

Fitts Henry. h. 24 April, 1840; m. Hattie B. Wheaton, of Boston; 

lives in Lawrence. 
George Whitefield, IS Nov., 1854. 

Chakles J.^ (James*), b. 11 Sept., 1821 ; m., 1st, Eliza J. Moore ; 
2d, Mrs. Lucretia Chandler (Morse). 

Children of Eliza : 

Cip-us TF., 23 June, 1851. 

Emilii M., 26 Dec, 1855 ; d. 27 June, 1858. 

Emma A., 7 July, 1859. 

Elmer A., K _ ^^ j^ j_ j^^ infancy. 

Daughter, ) ° ' ■' 

Fitts Henry*^ (Alonzo C.^) m. Hattie M. Wheaton. 
Julia E.. 22 Nov., 1869. 
Henry M., 1 Aug., 1871. 



GENEALOGICAL CHANDLER. 487.- 



CHANDLER. 

William^ and his wife Aunis came from England; 1637, and 
settled in Eoxbuiy. 

Thomas,^ Capt., m. Hannah Brewer, of Andover, Mass., and re- 
sided there. 

JoHN,^ Capt., m. Hannah Abbot, of Andover. 

Johns',* Ensign, m. Hannah Erye, of Andover. 

JoHX,^ Capt., m. Tahiatha Abbot, of Concord, N. H. He was 
one of the original proprietors of that town. 

JoHN,'^ Capt., b. 1731 ; m. Mary Carter, of Concord. 

John,h. 11 Dec, 1752; m. Naomi, dau. of Epbraim Farnum, of 
Concord; d. 21 Jan., 1825. 

Nathan, h. 28 April, 1751; m. Susan Ambrose, of Concord ; d. 13 
April, 1781. 

Isaac, b. 18 April, 1758; m. Mary, dau. of Capt. Peter Kimball, of 
B. lie served in Ticonderoga campaign, 1777, was colonel 
2lstReg1". ; owned the farm now owned by sons of Wm. H. 
Gage, Esq. He was universally esteemed. Died, 1826. 

Jeremlali, b. 1761; m. Judith, dau. of Ephraim Farnura, of Con- 
cord ; resided in house now occupied by John C. Gage; 
moved to Lovell, Me., where he d. 12 Feb., 1829. He had 
two children. 

JoHiSr,' Capt. (John,*' Capt.), b. 11 Dec, 1752 ; m. Naomi Ear- 
num. 

John, b. 25 Oct., 1780; m. Priscilla, dau. of Capt. Peter Kimball, 

of B. ; physician ; d. 6 March, 1859. 
Nalhan, b. 15 April, 1782 ; m. Jane, dau. of Nathaniel Rolfe ; d. 1 

April, 1835. 
Ephraim P., b. 4 Sept., 1784; ni. Tabiatha, dau. of Theophilus 

Currier, of Warner; d. 12 March, 1837. 
Mart/, b. 3 Sept., 1786; m. Jonathan Eastman, of East Concord; 

d. 27 Feb., 1872. 
Susannah F.,h.7 Dec, 1788; m. Richard Gage. 
Judith H., b. 19 March, 1793; m. Reuben Johnson, of B. A 

woman of rare worth. Died 3 Nov., 1843. 
RJioda C, m. Josephus Chandler; resides west. 

Jonx,« Dr., b. 25 Oct., 1780 ; m. Priscilla Kimball ; grad. D. C, 
1805 ; practised medicine in Hebron, Methuen, Pem- 
broke, Loudon, and North Eryeburg. He d. of apo- 
plex}'', in Goffstown, 6 March, 1859. 

Roxanna, b. 1808; d. in infancy. 

Priscilla, b. 27 Sept., 1809; m. John S. Drake, of Chichester. 



488 GENEALOGICAL CHANDLER. 

Sarah K., h. 1811 ; d. in Loudon, 1832. 

John S., b. 1813; d. 1816. 

Isaac W.. b. 1815 ; m., 1st, Fanny Crowell, of Xewark, N. J.; 2d, 
Joanna Hinds, of Chichester; resides in Epsom. Child of 
Fanny, Eddie, b. 1861; child of Joanna, Willie. 

Mary Ann, b. 18 Dec, 1817; m. Samuel C. Evans, of Fryeburg, 
Me. 

John B. W., h. 30 July, 1820; m., 1st, Elizabeth Godfrey, of Man- 
chester: 2d, Lucretia, dau. of Joseph Morse, of Webster ; 
d. 1865. 

Peter Kimball, b. 4 July, 1823; m. Maria E. Harville, of Bedford; 
resides in Manchester; dea. 1st Contr. church. 

George P., b. 12 March, 1826 ; d. 13 June, 1827. 

Nathan^ (John''), b. 15 April, 1782 ; m. Jane Eolfe. He resided 
in B. ; bnilt the house now occupied by the widow of 
Ephraim Plumnier ; was selectman 1812, '13, '16. In 
1829 he moved to Concord, settling near the present 
railroad station ; d. 1 April, 1835. 

Abial Rolfe, b. 26 Aug.. 1805 ; m. Eliza J. Morrison, of B; resides 
in Lawrence. [See Biog.] 

Judith Walker, b. 5 Aug., 1807; m. Enoch H. Dow, of Concord. 

Naomi Farnnm, b. 5 Dec, 1809; m. Asa H. Morrill, of Fisherville. 

Nathan, b. 12 June, 1812 ; m. Louisa W. Ferrin, of Concord; resides 
on homestead; was representative 187-1, '7.5. 

Harriet, b. 10 July, 181.5. 

Sarah B., b. 10 Aug., 1817; d. 16 Feb., 1811. 

William P., b. 27 Oct., 182(1; m. Sarah E. Kimball, of Orange; 
civil engineer ; lives in 111. ; was the first to develop the 
extensive coal mines of Danville, in that state. Entered 
U. S. army; was Lieut. Col. 35th 111. Reg't; commanded 
it two years; participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, 
Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission 
Ridge, and others ; was twice taken prisoner. 

Ephraim F., b. 4 Sept., 1784 ; m. Tabiatha, dau. of Theophilus 
Currier, of Warner ; lived in B. ; d. 12 March, 1837. 

Philip J., b. 21 Oct., 1814: went to sea when 18; never heard from. 
Sarah C, b. 19 June, 1816; m. Luke Eastman. 
Jonathan Eastman. 

Abial Eolfe« (Nathan,^ Jolm'), b. 25 Aug., 1805 ; m. Eliza J. 
Morrison. [See Biog.] 

Hennj Walker, b. 2 Aug., 1830; d. 15 Aug., 1850. 

Kate Frances, b. 4 Dec, 18;i)l ; m. W. A. Kimball, of Lawrence, 

Mass. 
Annie Rebecca, b. 11 April, 1837. , 

Nathan^ (Nathan,^ John^), b. 12 June, 1812; m. Lovisa W. 
Eerrin. 



GENEALOGICAL CHOATE. 



489 



Edward Wehsler^ b. 11 Dec, 1811 ; m. Frances Ferriu, of Concord; 

resides in Minonk, 111.; three children. 
Sarah. B., b. 15 June, 181o; n». James L. Gerrish, of Webster. 
Frederic G., b. 31 Dec, 1815 ; m. Mary S. Abbott; resides atFisli- 

erville. 
William P., b. 30 Nov., 1849; m. Alice Boyce, of Fisherville; one 

child. 

John W.« [Jolin,« Dr., John'), b. 30 July, 1820, m., 1st, Eliza- 
beth Godfrey ; 2d, Lucretia Morse. 

Children of Elizabeth : 
John Franklin, b. 1846; m. Alice Fitz. 
Sarah H., b. 1847; d. 4 Feb., 1876. 
Emma,h. 1849; d. 1867. 

Hatlie G., b. 1854; m. Cotton; d. April, 1875. 

Willie Irving, b. 1853; d. 1854 

JosEPHUs Chandler, another branch of the Chandler family, of 
Eryeburg, Me., married Ehoda C, dau. of Capt. John 
Chandler, of B. They lived in Eryeburg, and moved 
to Primrose, Wis., where he d. IT Eeb., 1859. 

Catherine, ^ b, 7 Sept., 1830; ni. Charles Thompson; lives in Wis. 
Caroline, \h. 7 Sept., 183ii; successful school teacher in the West ; 

d. in Monticello, la., 1870. 
John A.,m. Maria A. Grundy, of Monticello, la. Three children,— 

Charles H., Elmer E., Catharine C. 
George W., soldier in 5th Wis. Reg't; fought in battles of Army of 

Potomac. 
Williajn Henri/, engaged in mining in Montana. 

CHOATE. 

The first ancestor of the Choate family in this country (given 
name unknown), being pressed into the English navy, 
deserted from the man-of-war " Lion," while on the 
American coast, and settled in Essex, Mass. He had 
a son, IIumvphTey, there. 

Humphrey^ (deserter). 

Thomas, b. 1716, at Essex, Mass.; d. 1798, at B. 
Humphrey (grandfather of Hon. Rufus Choate). 

Thomas^ (Humphrey-), m. Dolly Proctor, of Essex, Mass. ; was a 

captain of Mass. militia under George II ; came to B. 

in 1788 ; settled on High street, where Samuel Choate 

now resides. 
Jacob, Thomas, Solomon, Susan, Miriam, Mrs. Lowe, Anner. 
Benjamin, Col., h. 8 Sept., 1766 ; m. Mehitable Plummer, of B.; d. 

7 April, 1859, at Enfield. 
Samuel, b. 18 March, 1769 ; d. 12 June, 1847. 



490 GENEALOGICAL CHOATE. 

Samuel* (Thomas,^ Capt., Humphrey'^) m., 1st, Betsey Kimball ; 
2d, Nancy Jackman ; od, Mary Loomis, of Thetford, 

Vt. 

Child of Betsey : 
Isaac C, b. 15 Aug., 1791 ; d. 6 Jan., 1860. 

Cliildren of Nancy : 
Royal, b. 12 June, 1796. 
Betsey, h. 9 Dec, 1797 ; d. 7 Jan., 1826. 
A7iner, b. 13 April, 1800; m. Samuel Choate, Enfield. 
If aria, b. 12 Aug., 1802; m. Thomas Clioate, Enfield. 
Nancy, b. 22 Oct., 1801 ; m. Jonathan Currier, Candia. 

Children of Mary : 
Marjj, b. 1810 ; d. 7 Jan., 1827. 
Sojihla, d. 1818, aged 18 mouths. 
Samuel, b. 1815; d. same year. 

IsAAC^ (Samuel,* Thomas,^ Humphrey"') m. Hannah Noyes, He- 
bron. 

Samuel K., b. 5 Nov., 1820; m., 1st, Martha Jane Waldrou, of 
Hopkinton ; 2d, Mary M. Moore, of Calais, Me. ; lives in 
Concord. 

Betsey, b. 1821; d. 1826. 

KOYAL^ (Samuel,* Thomas,^ Humphrey") m., 1st, Hannah Sawyer, 
Salisbury ; 2d, Mrs. Eliza Mewers, Gilmanton. 

Children of Hannah : 

David S., b. 28 Nov., 1827; d. 22 Feb., 1833. 

Samuel, b. 21 Feb., 1830. 

Nancy J., b. 5 Nov., 1832; m. Moses C. Sanborn, Concord. 

Children of Eliza : 

Royal, b. 25 April, 1846 ; m. Nettie Webster, Manchester. 
Lucy A., b. 3 Oct., 1849; m. John F. Colby. 

Samuel^ (Koyal,^ Samuel,* Thomas'^) m. Caroline M. Perkins, 
Georgetown, Mass. 
Mary IL, b. 20 July, 1863. 
Lizzie M., b. 10 Jan., 1865. 



r 

V 



I \ ^r-y^"^ 








^-^ 1 ^:^_t„ AAA.^ ^Aa.- 
^^ ^- '^ ^w^ 







GENEALOGICAL — COFFIN. 491 



COFFIN". 

In the " Worthies of Devonshire/' by Prince, tlie Coffin family 
of Portledge is spoken of as having occupied an estate ever since 
the ]SJ"ornian conquest. Sir William Coffin, of Portledge, was an 
officer of high state in the reign of Henry VIII. The Coffins of 
America are descendants of the Portledge family. 

Peter CoffijST,^ of Brixton, near Portledge, died 1628. His widow, 
Joanna Thember Coffin, with her children, Tristram, 
Mary, and Eunice, emigrated to Salisbury, Mass., in 
1642, settled in Newliury, and finally moved to Nan- 
tucket. She d. in May, 1661, aged 77. She was a 
woman of remarkable strength of character. 

Tristkam^ (Peter, of Brixton,), b. in England in 1609 ; m. Dionis 
Stevens, of Brixton ; came to Salisbury in 1642, with 
five children ; moved to Haverhill, thence to Newbury, 
1648, to Salisbury again, 1654. In 1659, with others, 
he purchased nineteen twentieths of the island of 
Nantucket, whither he removed in 1660, with several 
of his children. He d. there 2 Oct., 1681. He had 
nine children. His second son was Tristram. 

Tristram^ (Tristram,^ Peter^), b. in England in 1632 ; m. Judith 
Grreenleaf, of Newbury ; was ancestor of all the Cof- 
fins originating from Newbury. His last and tenth 
child was Nathaniel. 

Nathaniel* (Tristram,^ Tristram,- Peter^), b. in Newbury, 22 
March, 1669 ; m. Sarah, widow of Henry Dole — name 
before marriage, Sarah Brocklebank, of Powley ; re- 
sided in the house erected by his father, and still 
standing, 1878. He had eight children. 

Jolin, b. 1 Jan., 1694; m. Judith Greenleaf, of Newbury; d. 30 

Sept., 1762. 
Enocli,\>. 7 Feb., 1696. 
AppUa, b. 9 June, 1678 ; d. 8 Oct., 1715. 
Samuel Brocklebank, h. 24 Aug., 1700; a minister. 
Joseph, Col, b. 30 Dec, 1702 ; grad. Harvard ; clerk of proprietors 

of Contoocook, 1733-1760; m. Margaret Morse; d. 12 

Sept., 1773. 
Jane, b. 1 Aug., 1705. 

Edmund, Dr., b. 19 March, 1708 ; d. 29 Jan., 1789. 
Moses, b. 11 June, 1711; d. 22 Feb., 1793. 

JoHN^ (Nathaniel," Tristram^), b. 1 June, 1694 ; m. Judith Green- 
leaf. 
Richard, b. 22 Nov., 1713; m. Abigail Hale; d. 9 March, 1773. 
Nathaniel, b. 7 Sept., 1716; m. Patience Dole; d. in Portland, in 
1766. 

32 



492 GENEALOGICAL — COFFIN. 

Ahlyail, h. 8 Nov., 1718 ; m. Eev. Aaron Whittemore, of Pem- 
broke; d. 11 May, 1803. 

Manj, b. 23 July, 1720; d. 25 Nov., 1737. 

Peter, Capt., b. 11 May, 1722; moved to Concord in 1706; to B. 
in 1768; ni. Rebecca Hazeltine, of Chester; d. 15 Dec, 
1789. [See Biog.] 

Apphia. b. 13 April, 1721; m. Icliabod Jones. 

William, h. 3 July, 1726; m. Sarah Hazeltine, of Chester; resided 
in Concord, near present north scliool-house; d. 18 Oct., 
1815. 

Samuel, b. 23 Nov., 1728; m. Anna Pettingill; d. 29 June, 1818. 

Judith, b. 3 Sept., 1732; d. 2 Nov., 1737. 

Sarah, b. 26 Sept., 1735; d. 1 Nov., 1737. 

Peter,« Capt. (Jolin,^ Nathaniel*), h. 11 May, 1722 ; m. Eebecca 
Haseltine. [See Biog.] 

Peter, b. 29 April, 1770; d. 30 April, 1779. 

Rebecca, b. 20 Oct., 1771 ; d. 17 May, 1787. 

Joanna, b. 11 April, 1773; m. Dr. Edmund Carlcton, of Haverhill, 

N. H. : d. about 1834. 
Abigail, b. 26 March, 1775; d. at Haverhill, N. H., 28 Feb., 18.36. 
Thomas, Lieut., b. 15 July, 1777; m., 1st, Hannah Kilburn; 2d, 

Hannah Bartlet ; d. 19 April, 1853. 
Moses, Capt., b. 22 July, 1779; m. Susannah Farnum, of Concord; 

d. 5 Sept., 1851. 
Apphia, b. 8 Aug., 1791; m. Nehemiah Cogswell, of B. ; d. 17 Dec, 

1839. 

Thomas/ Lieut. (Peter/ Capt., John^), b. 15 July, 1777; m., 
1st, Hannah Kilhurn, dau. of Dea. Eliphalet Kilburn, 
of B. ; 2d, Hannah Bartlet, dau. of Dea. David Bart- 
let, of Campton, N. H., his cousin. He lived on 
Water st., in the house built by his father, now owned 
by Mr. Colby. He was elected selectman in 1810, 
1811, representative in 1831. He was kind, genial, 
public-spirited, and universall}' respected. He contrib- 
uted liberally towards the erection of the Congrega- 
tional meeting-house in Webster; was an early advo- 
cate of temperance in 1831, abolishing ardent spirits 
from his house, and refusing to make cider for sale. 
He was foremost in the anti-slavery cause, and circu- 
lated petitions for the abolition of slavery in the ter- 
ritories, when there was a strong prejudice against 
any interference with the institution. He was a con- 
sistent member of the church, and gave liberally to 
charitable objects. 

Children of Hannah Kilburn : 

Enoch, b. 20 April, 1808; d. 13 Oct., 1S15. 

John, h. 2 Sept., 1809; d. 9 Sept., 1809. 

Apphia Cogswell, b. 6 Dec, 1810; m. Enoch Little, Jr., of B. 



GENEALOGICAL — COFFIN. 493 

Mary Kilhurn, b. 12 Nov., 1812; m. Edmund Carleton, Littleton, 

N. H. 
Frederick William, b. 28 May, 1815; m. Harriot Clioate, of Derry ; 

Col. 21st Reuc't ; resides in Chicago. 
Enoch, b. 5 March, 1817; ni. Emily Gerrish, dau. of Jacob Ger- 

rish ; resides in Beloit, Wis. 
Lwonia,\h. 8 Aug., 1819; d. 6 Sept., 1820. 
Elvira, j b. 8 Aug., 1819; m. Nathan P. Ames; d. at West Creek, 

Ind., Jan., 1861. 
Charles Carleton, b. 26 July, 1823; m. Sallie R. Farmer, dau. of 

Col. John Farmer. [See Biog.] 

Moses/ Capt. (Peter,« Capt., Joliu^), b. 22 July, 1779 ; m. Susan- 
nah Farnum, of Concord ; lived in house erected by 
himself east of Water st., on road leading to Bos- 
cawen plain, now occupied by widow Farnum Coffin. 
He was an energetic citizen, respected, and a consis- 
tent member of the Cong, church. Educated one of 
his sons for the ministry. His wife, Susannah, d. 4 
May, 1843. He d. 5 Sept., 1854. 

Rebecca, b. 13 March, 1801; m. John Sanborn, of B. ; d. Nov., 

1871. 
Lucy Jane, h. 1805; m. Samuel Allen, of Reading, Mass. 
Peter, b. 26 March, 1808; m. Eunice Couch, of B. ; lives in B. 
Judith, b. 17 May, 1810; d. Jane, 1842. 
Farmi7n,h. 13 March, 1813; m. Judith Gerrish, of Canterbury; 

lived in B. ; d. Sept., 1856. 
Nehemiah Cogswell, Rev., b. 24 March, 1815; m. Susan Rust, of 

WoUeborough ; d. in Sandusky, O., 9 Jan., 1808. 
Susannah, b. 24 Nov., 1818; m. Enoch Morrill, of B., 24 Nov., 

1843. 
Esther, b. 1821 ; m. Henry G. Peach, of B.; d. July, 1843. 

Frederick William,^ Col. (Thomas,^ Lieut., Peter," Capt.), b. 28 
May, 1815 ; m. Harriet Choate, of Derry; settled in B. ; 
moved to Derry, thence to Chicago ; was captain of 
Boscawen Light Infantry ; colonel 21st Reg't. 

Warren Choate, b. 25 Feb., 1844; m. Sarah Ilanna, of Castile, 

N. Y. 
Harriet Newell, h. 25 Sept., 1846; d. at Beloit, Wis., 23 Feb., 

1861. 
Henry Russell, b. 15 Aug., 1851; d. 9 Oct., 1870, at Chicago. 

Enoch^ (Thomas," Peter," Capt.), b. 5 March, 1817 ; m. Emily 
Gerrish, of B. : lived on homestead : deacon of Cong, 
church ; moved to Beloit, Wis., 1859. 

Edtvin Dwiqht, b. 12 Sept., 1843. 
William Henry, b. 26 Feb., 1849. 
Sarah uimes, b. 9 Jan., 1851. 



494 GENEALOGICAL COFFIN. 

PeterS (Moses/ Capt., Peter,« Capt.), h. 26 March, 1808 ; m. 
Eunice Coucli, of B. ; living in B. 

Sarah, b. 3 April, 1836; d. 1837. 

George, b. 9 Dec, 1837; enlisted in 16th N. H. Volunteers, in 
1863; ordered to service under Gen. Banks, at New Or- 
leans; d. of disease at Port Hudson, 

Sarah E.,h. 9 Dec, 1811. 

Esther Peach, b. 15 Dec, 1843; m. G. W. Fisher; resides in B. 

Farnum^ (Moses,^ Capt., Peter,« Capt.), k 13 March, 1813 ; m. 
Judith Gerrish, dau. of Joseph Gerrish, of Canter- 
bury ; resided on homestead ; d. Sept., 1856. 

John.h. 9 Jan.. 1816; m. Nellie Sleeper, of Bristol; resides ia 

Iowa; has two children. 
Clara A., h. 18 Jan., 1850. 
Joseph, I b. 1853; d. 6 June, 1858. 
Henri/, | b. 1853 ; resides in B. 

Nehemiah Cogswell,^ Rev. (Moses,' Capt., Peter,« Capt.), b. 24 
March, 1815 ; grad. at Dartmouth, 1837 ; studied the- 
ology ; m. Susan Rust, of Wolfeborough ; preached at 
Circieville, Piqua, and Sandusky, 0. ; d. at Sandusky, 
Jan., 1865, respected and beloved. He was an earn- 
est preacher and faithful pastor. 

, Ellen M., b. 2 April, 1844; m. B. F. Stewart, of Hardwick, Vt. 
John W., b. 8 Feb., 1846 ; d. April, 1846. 
Lucy ^., b. 5 Jan., 1849; d. 5 Dec, 1874. 
Henrrj F., b. 16 Oct., 1850. 
MaryL.,h. 20 Nov., 1852. 
Harriet M., h. 15 Nov., 1861. 
Elizabeth R., b. 20 Jan., 1864. The family resides at Marblehead, 

Ohio. 
WARRE^- Choate^ (Frederick W.,^ Col.), b. 25 Feb., 1844 ; m. 

Sarah Hanna ; resides in Chicago ; professor of music. 

Hennj Warren, b. 6 Jan., 1874; d. 2 Aug., 1874. 
Frederick York, b. 12 Dec, 1874. 

JoHN^ (Farnum,8 Moses'), b. 9 Jan., 1846 ; m. Nellie Sleeper, of 
Bristol ; lives at Clear Lake, Iowa. 
Lura, b. 25 March, 1873. 
George Henry, b. 10 Dec, 1875. 

Moses Coffin, another branch of the Coffin family of Newbury, 
son of Joseph, b. in Newbury, 9 Sept., 1767. His 
father d. when he was an infant. He was cared for 
by his uncle Joseph (Col.), one of the original pro- 
prietors, and town-clerk of B. He was a tailor ; moved 
to B. at the age of 21 ; settled on land now owned by 
Jabcz Abbot ; m., 1st, Hannah Little, dau. of Enoch 



GENEALOGICAL COGSWELL. 495 

Little, first of the name in B.; 2d, Ann Webster, 
of Salisbury, N. H. He subsequently lived on the 
place now owned by Mrs. Mary Morrill. He d. 3 
Sept., 1843. He was for many years clerk of the 
Westerly Religious Society. 

Children of Hannah : 

Polly,h. 23 All?., 1794; d. 14 Jan., 1813. 
Judith, b. 22 Oct., 1795; d. Oct., 1825. 

Children of Ann : 

Joseph Hale, b. 11 July, 1815; m. Betsey Varney, of B.; resides in 

Portland, Me. 
Jeremiah Webster, b. 8 March, 1817; d. 22 Feb., 1842. 
Frances Brown, b. 30 Oct., 1818; d. 30 Oct., 1825. 

COGSWELL. 

Compiled by Alfred Little. 

John C. was b. of English parentage, in Essex, Mass., 28 Nov., 
1793. His father, Joseph Cogswell, moved to Derry, 
N. H., with his family the following year. From 
that place John C. removed and settled in B., 
1821, where he resided till his death, 14 Jan., 1841. 
[See Biog.] He m., 1st, Eliza W. Kimball, Hanover, 
13 Nov., 1821, who d. 25 Aug., 1832 ; 2d, Polly C. 
Adams, Castine, Me., who d. 3 June, 1836 ; 3d, Cyn- 
thia Knox, Pembroke, 3 Oct., 1837, who d. 9 June, 
1848. 
Children of Eliza : 

Abigail C, b. 20 Aug., 1822; m., 1st, Enoch Gerrish, Canterbury, 
7 Jan., 1840 [see Gerrish jj;en.] ; 2d, John O. Wishard, St. 
Bernice, VermiHion Co., Ind., 21 April, 1864. 

Charles E., b. 29 Jan., 1824. 

Harriette P., b. 15 April, 1827; m. James C. Taylor, Derry; d. 15 
Nov., 1853. 

Caroline P., b. 26 Aug., 1830; m. John Dickey, Londonderry. 

Child of Cynthia : 
John Cleveland, b. 24 March, 1839. 

Charles E.^ (John C.^) resides in Haverhill, Mass. ; m., 1st, 
Clarissa Campbell, Windham ; 2d, Lydia A. Knowles, 
Chester. 

Children of Clarissa : 

Clara E., b. 5 Dec, 1851 ; m. George W. Noyes, Windham, 22 

Feb., 1875. 
Mary A., b. 5 July, 1856. 
Charles R., b. 13 Feb., 1859. 



496 GENEALOGICAL COGSWELL. 

Children of Lydia : 

Abby E., b. 11 July, 1867; d. 8 March, 1868. 
Marlha C, b. 20 July, 1871. 

John Cleveland^ (John C.^) resides in Haverhill, Mass. ; m. 
Jane A. Kenniston, of that city. 

Lizzie a, b. 22 July, 1800. 

Addie3f., b. 14 Dec, 1862. 

Edward P., b. 22 Sept., 1866. 

Alice B., b. 22 April, 1870 ; d. 17 April, 1872. 

Jane M., b. 22 March, 1877. 

Francis resided on Corser hill ; lawyer hy profession ; m. Eliza- 
beth ; moved to Minn. 

Sophia, b. 7 June, 1822. 

Amos, b. 29 Sept., 1824. Before reaching his majority, with no 
advantages except those furnished by the school on Corser 
hill, he began the study of law with Franklin Pierce, of 
Concord, and with Asa Fowler. Upon being admitted to 
the bar he went to Michigan, where he supported himself 
by teaching school, with an occasional case in the courts. 
His first fee of five dollars he sent as a gift to his mother. 
He began practice in Hebron, 111. Engaged in political 
speaking, in company with his cousin, John Wentworth, of 
Chicago, espousing the cause of the Democratic party. 
Upon the election of Franklin Pierce to the Presidency he 
was appointed examiner of pensions, which he held for a 
short time only; returned to 111.; practised law in Wood- 
stock, and became editor of the Woodstock Republican ; 
moved to Minn., 1855; was elected delegate to the consti- 
tutional convention, member of the first house of repre- 
sentatives, and elected speaker of that body, and has been 
elected several times to the state senate. He resides at 
Owatona. 

Lydia C, b. 19 June, 1827; d. 2G Dec, 1829. 

George IF., b. 3 June, 1829. 

Lydia B.,h. 7 March, 1832. 

Frances Annette, b. 6 June, 1834. 

Joseph, S., b. 29 Oct., 1836; went to California; engaged in min- 
ing for a short time; left the spade and taught school; re- 
turned to N. H. in 1863; m. Miss Mary F. Darrah, of 
Bedford. He entered the theological seminary, Bangor, 
Me., and graduated in 1868; moved to Minn. ; became pas- 
tor of the Cong, church, Zumbrota. Mrs. C. d. Nov., 
1868. Mr. C. was settled pastor of the Cong, church at 
Holden, Me., and pastor of church at Strong, Me., 1873, 
and West Auburn. 1874, where he is still engaged in 
ministerial labor. He m. Miss Ellen N. Hart, of Holden, 
1870. He is a frequent contributor to the newspaper 
and magazine press. 



GENEALOGICAL — CORSER. 497 

.COESER. 

Compiled by S. B. G. Corser. 

JOHN,^ tlie first of the name in B., was Lorn, as is supposed, 
in Scotland, about 1678. He was probably connected 
with the family of William Courser,* of Boston, who 
came over in 1635, some of whose descendants, in the 
female line (family of D. C. Colesworthy, bookseller 
on Cornhill), still reside in that city. Emigrating to 
this country at an early age, he settled in Newbury, 
Mass., marrying Tabitha Kenney, of that place, 8 
March, 1716 or 1717 ; removed to B. in the early set- 
tlement of the town (the exact date is not known), 
where he tended a saw-mill till disabled by a terrible 
accident (1745, says Price's History), which deprived 
him of sight; lived afterwards with his son John on 
Corser hill, where he d., at a very advanced age, in 
the autumn of 1776. His wife is believed to have d. 
in Newbury, prior to his removal to B. 

John, b. about 1718. 

Nathan, m. Susan Daiiforth; no issue; d. ia B. about 1800. His 

widow d. in Tlietford, Yt. 
Tabitha, m. Peter Flood, of B. 
Polly, m. Ezekiel Flanders, of Kingston, N. H. 
Sarah, m. Samuel Davis, of B. 
William, b. about 1730. 
Hannah, m. John Bowley, of B. 

JoHN^ (John^), b. about 1718 ; settled on a farm in Kingston • 
lived afterwards in Chester ; moved to B. in 1764, 
locating on Corser hill, afterwards so called, where he 
d. about 1791, aged 73. Married, 1st, Jane Nichols, 
of Newbury, Mass. ; 2d, Mrs. Hepsibah Chase, of 
Dunbartou, 1789. 

Children of Jane : 

Thomas, b. 1743. 
Samuel, b. about 1716. 
Jonathan, b. about 1747. 
John. b. IB May, 1751. 
David, b. in Kingston, 27 Jan., 1754. 

Jane, b. Jan., 1756; d. in Mich., 23 Dec, 1836, aged 80; m., 1772, 
Nathan Davis, of Conway; had 7 children. 



♦This mode of spelling the name is not uncommon in the earlier records. The true 
form, however (see description of family arms in English works of heraldry), is C'o?-- 
ser, represented originally by the Latin Cursor (from cim-o, to run), a Roman cogno- 
men, and, at a later stage, Viy the corresponding Italian form, Corstere (by translation, 
Courxer), of which the name, as adopted by the reputed Italian founder of the family, 
at Edinburgh, may be regarded as an abbreviation. 



498 GENEALOGICAL — CORSER. 

William, b. about 1758. 

Ahbyneezer.h. about 1760; m., 1775, Lieut. Edward Fitz Gerald, 

of B., who d. 11 Dec, 1817, aged 66. She d. 11 Oct., 

1836, aged 76; 15 children. 
Molly, b. in B., 24 May, 1765; m. Capt. Silas Call, of B., 9 Feb., 
1785; d. 11 Oct., 1839, aged 74; 10 children. 

William^ (John^), b. about 1730 ; m. Anne Carter, of B. ; was 
drowned, witli liis son William, in Great pond, 1773. 

Am, b. 26 June, 1754. 

William (or Jesse), b. 16 April, 1756 ; drowned in Great pond, 
1773. 

Mary, b. 4 Aug. 1759 ; d. 14 April, 1834, aged 74 ; m., 1779, James 
Uran, of B., who d. 18 Nov., 1845, aged 88 ; had 4 chil- 
dren. 

Simeon, h. 10 July, 1763. 

Judith, b. 29 Jan., 1766 ; ra. Philander Carter, of Canterbury. 

Anne, b. 21 Feb., 1771. 

Thomas^ (John,^ John^), b. 1743; farmer; lived in B. ; m., 1st, 
Ann Dunlap, of Cliester ; 2d, 1782, Mrs. Mary Down- 
ing, of Kingston, who d. 6 March, 1840, aged 95 ; 
served in the Ticonderoga campaign ; was drowned in 
Long pond, 11 Dec, 1829, aged 86. 

Children of Ann : 

James, b. 12 Xov., 1764. 

Polly, b. 24 Aug., 1766; ni. John Fitz Gerald, 16 Nov., 1786; had 

6 children. 
Jane, b. 23 Oct., 1768; d. 13 Feb., 1821, aged 52 ; m. David Call : 

9 children. 
Jonathan, b. 9 Nov., 1770; d. 30 Nov., 1821, aged 61; m. Nancy 

Badger. 31 May, 1792; children,— Jf>/m, Oilman, — a farmer 

of Colebrook, — and 2 daughters. 
Anna (or Nancy), h. 15 June, 1773; m. Jonathan Downing, of B., 

21 June, 1792; was killed by lightning, 12 June, 1816; 8 

children. 
Thomas, h. 12 May, 1775; moved to Thetford, Vt. ; m. Abigail 

Holcomb, 8 Oct., 1798; children, — Benjamin, True, Lavina, 

and Holcomb. 
Sarah, b. 17 March, 1777. 

Tabitha, b. 7 Sept., 1779; m. Nicholas ElUot, 11 May, 1802. 
Moses, b. 25 Sept., 1781. 

Children of Mary : 
Elsey,h. 28 March, 1783; d. 12 Sept., 1843, aged 60; m. Amos 

Thorla, of B., 1803 ; had 7 children. 
Caleb, b. 3 Sept. 1785 ; d. 15 Nov., 1825, aged 40. 
Dolly, m. Josiah Jackman, 1800; family moved to Sandusky, O. 
Miriam, m., 1st, Samuel Corser, 1806 ; 2d, Samuel Roby 1833. 

Samuel^ (John,^ John^), b. about 1746 ; farmer in B., Avhere he 
d., 1 Nov., 1826, aged 80 ; m., 1st, Sarah Fitz Gerald, 



GENEALOGICAL CORSER. 499 

1766 ; 2a, Betsey Colby, 1808 ; fought at the battle 
of Bunker Hill. 

Children of Sarah : 

Stephen. 

Janc^ m. Moses Jackman, 12 Oct., 1790. 

Sarah. 

Samuel, stone-cutter; m. Miriam Corser, 1800; had -SaraZi, who 

m., 1829, John L. Pressy, of Canaan. 
James, m. Betsey Aunis, of Warner, 1807; moved to jSTew York ; 

had Friend, Charles, and others. 
Rachel; m. Samuel Gookiu, 28 Sept., 1791; 3 children. 

JoifATHAN^ (John,- John^), b. about 1747 ; farmer in B., whence 
he removed to Vershire, Vt. ; m. Lucy Foster, of Ips- 
wich, Mass. ; fought at the battle of Bennington; d. 
in Concord, Vt., 1831, aged 84. 

Jonathan, b. 29 Auij., 1771. 

Thomas,h.in B., 4'^ Oct., 1773; m. Mercy Bennett, of Tlietford, 
Vt. ; moved to New York; had Erastus, Phebe, and Caro- 
line. 

Lucy, b. 14 June, 1776; d. 1853, aged 77; m. Jonathan Bartlett, 
of Norwich. Vt., 19 Jan., 1801; 2 cliildren. 

Josiah, b. 2 July, 1781. 

Polli/, b. 11 April, 1784; m. Ephraim Heath, of Salisbury, 1801 ; 
6 children. 

Benjamin, b. in B.. 4 Oct., 1787; moved to Minn., where he d. in 
1873, aged 85; m. Sarah Gove, of Wilmot ; had chil- 
dren, — Susan, Friend, Charles A., — shoe dealer in Hol- 
yoke, Mass., — George, and others. 

Friend, b. 18 April, 1791. 

JoHN^ (John,'^ John^), b. 13 May, 1751 ; farmer and inn-keeper 
in B. ; d 19 Oct., 1838, aged 87 ; m. Rachel Blasdell, 
of Salisbury, Mass., who d. 12 May, 1828, aged 76. 

Daniel, d. in infancy. 

Daniel, h. 28 Feb., 1775. 

John, b. 24 May, 1777. 

David, h. 15 March, 1779. 

Rachel, b. 9 April, 1781; d. 19 Nov., 18.54, asjed 73; m. Jedediah 

Dauforth.of Salisbury, 22 Oct., 1801; had 8 children. 
Rice, b. 29 Sept., 1783. 
Joseph, h. 7 Feb., 1786. 
Timothjj,h. 9 Marcii, 1788. 

Edward, b. 18 Aug., 1790; m. Sarah Cass; went West. 
Richard, b. 16 Aug., 1792. 

David^ (John,- John^), b. in Kingston, 27 Jan., 1754; farm- 
er; lived in B., Avhere he d. 23 Aug., 1828, aged 
74; m., 17 March, 1776, Ruth Blasdell, of Salisbury, 
Mass., who d. 27 May, 1844, aged 88 ; fought at the 
battle of Bennington. 



500 GENEALOGICAL CORSER. 

Betsey, b. 19 March, 1777; d. 24 April, 179G, aged 19. 

Ruth, b. 10 March, 1779; m., 1st, Daniel Gookin, of B., 1797; 2d, 

James Corser, of B., 1828; d. in Webster, 17 Sept., 1874, 

aged 95; had 6 children. 
David, b. 22 March, 1781. 
Hannah, b. 2 Feb., 1783; m. William Adams, of Salisbury, Mass., 

who d. 26 July, 1816. She d. in Amesbury, Mass., 1829, 

aged 46; 5 children. 
Pollij, b. 20 Dec, 1784; m., 20 June, 1803, Nathan Davis, of Or- 

ford, deceased; d. in Grautville, Mass., 8 Oct., 1867, aged 

82 ; 6 children. 
Enoch, Rev., b. 2 Jan., 1787. 
Silas, b. 14 Jan., 1789. 
Jane, b. 11 Jan., 1791; d. in Amesbury, Mass., 1863, aged 72 ; m., 

1st, Joseph Wadleigli, of Salisbury, Mass., 12 Oct., 1813; 

2d, Richard Allen; no issue. 
Luke, b. 10 March, 1793. 
Bliss, b. 30 Aug., 1795. 

Betsey, b. 4 June, 1798; m. 13 Feb., 1822, Joseph Morse, of Brad- 
ford, deceased; res. in Manchester; 7 children. 
Rachel, b, 21 Sept., 1800; m., 25 Jan., 1829, Daniel G. Runels, of 

Warner, deceased ; d. in Warner, 14 July, 1839, aged 

38; 3 children. 

William" (John,' Joliii^), b. about 1758; settled in Salisbury; 
enlisted in the war of 1812, and d. the same year 
at Plattsburg, N. Y. ; m. Abigail Gordon. 

William, lived in Sebec, Me. ; d. about 1860; had issue. 

Abigail, d. unmarried, in Salisbury, 15 Sept., 1858. 

Nathan, m. and went to Penn. There are descendants of Nathan 
Corser, who m. Ann Freeman, resident in Kansas. 

Sally, m. William Bailly, of Salisbury; had issue. 

Eliphalet, d. in the West Indies. 

Jeremiah, d. in the army. 

John. 

Susan, d. young. 

Jane. 

Elias, m. Davis ; lived in Sebec, Me. 

Betsey, d. unuiarried, in Salisbury, 7 March, 1865. 

Lewis. 

Orrin^h. 1803; lived in Salisbury, where he d., March, 1877; ra. 

Tucker; children, — Eliphalet, of Franklin, William, 

John, Charles W., Nathan F., Abbie, and Mary Ann. 

AsA^ (William,- John^), h. in B., 26 June, 1754 ; m. Jane Fitz 
Gerald; was drummer in Capt. Kimball's company 
at the battle of Bennington ; moved to Thetford, Yt., 
where he d. 

Susan, m. David Manuel, of Derby, Yt. 
Mehitable, m. Edmund Hardy, of Pelham. 

William, m. Ani^e, da.u. of Simeon Corser; res. in Thetford, Yt. ; 
had Benjamin, Mary, Persis, Charles, Nicholas, and others. 
Sally, m. in Stanstead, C. E. 



GENEALOGICAL CORSER. 



501 



SiMEON=^ (William;' Johni), h. in B., 10 July, 1763 ; moved to 
Thetford, Vt., and thence to Stanstead, C. E., where 
he d. ; ni. Lois Severance, 19 Jan., 1782. 

A7me, m. William, son of Asa Corser; d. iu Thetford, Vt. 

Nicholas. 

Nathan. 

Jesse. 

Clarissa. 

James* (Thomas,^ John,- John^), b. in B., 12 Nov., 1764 ; d. 
there, 23 Aug., 1852, aged 87; farmer; m., 1st, Mar- 
tha Fitz Gerald, 12 March, 1786; 2d, Mrs. Ruth 
(Corser) Gooldn, 24 July, 1828. 

Children of Martha : 

Rebecca, b. 24 Oct., 1787; d. 8 Dec, 1815, aged 28; m. Jeremiah 

Eastman, 29 Nov., 1804; had 2 children. 
John, b. 13 July, 1791; d. young. 
Aiuos, b. 15 July, 1793. 

Moses* (Thomas,^ John,^ John^), b. in B., 25 Sept., 1781 ; d. 19 
A]Dril, 1830, aged 48; m., 1st, Ruth Clough, of War- 
ner, 1804 ; 2d, Betsey Burgess, of Chelsea, Vt. ; en- 
listed from B. in the war with France, 1798. 

Children of Ruth : 

Mittie, m. Davenport. 

Martha. 

Sally, deceased; m. Charles W. Spaulding, of Lowell, Mass.; 2 
children. 

Roxena, m. Ilolden, of Lowell. 

William B. (Courser), b. 1814. 
Charlotte, m. Alva Fife. 
Benjamin. 

Children of Betsey : 
Betsey, deceased ; m. Sumner Pratt, of Lowell. 

Mercy, m. West. 

Benjamin F., m. Burnham ; lived iu Lowell. 

Ruth E. 

Stephen* (Samuel,^ John,- John^), b. in B. ; m. Sarah Goohin, 
of B., 30 June, 1789. 

Nathaniel, b. about 1790; m. and settled in Vt. ; d. 1807, aged 77; 
children,— C/ar^-,b. about 1817, and Willard, of Waukegan, 
111.; Austin, of Ontonagon, Mich.; and George IF., of Bar- 
ron, AVis. 

Hiildah . 

Washington, m. Mehitable Fitz Gerald. 

Dolly. 

Judith. 

Thomas. 



502 GENEALOGICAL CORSER. 

Jonathan* (Jonatlian,^ John,- Jolm^), "b. 29 Aug., 1771 ; farmer; 
settled in Thetford, Vt., where he d. 1 Jan., 1860, 
aged 88 ; m. E-hoda, dau. of Samuel Jackman, of B., 
who d. 1863, aged 89. 

Ward, b. 22 Aug., 1798; res. in Thetford. 

Rhoda, b. 25 May, 1800; res. in Thetford. 

Cyrus, h. 13 March, 1802. 

Clark, b. 19 June, 18()4. 

Jonathan, b. 17 Maj% 1806. 

Martha, b. 22 April, 18(18; m., 1st, William Howard; 2d, Caleb 
Strong, of Strafford, Vt., deceased; has children. 

Submit, b. 4 April, 1810; d. 8 June, 1863, aged 53. 

Proctor, b. 10 May, 1812; res. in SufReld, Conn. 

Oliver, d. young 

Mary Ann, b. 21 June, 1815; d. 1865, aged 50; m. George M. Saw- 
yer, of Norwich, Vt. ; 10 chiklren. 

Ruth, b. 4 March, 1817 ; ra. Newton Smith, of Suffield, Conn., de- 
ceased. 

Hannah, b. 20 July, 1819; d. 1853, aged 34; ra. Jacob Bartlett, of 
Salisbury, Mass.; 3 children. 

Lucia A. J., b. 23 June, 1822; m. Horace Stebbens, of Painesville, 
O.; 3 children. 

JosiAH* (Jonathan,^ John,^ John^), b. in B., 2 July, 1781 , m. 
Prudence Heath, of Salisbury ; moved to Canada, and 
thence, about 1812, to Vermont ; d. in Chester, Vt., 14 
Sept., 1854, aged 73. 

RutJi, m. Joseph Farnum, of Lancaster. 

Orinda, b. 6 Dec, 1810; d. 6 May, 1869, aged 58 ; m. Daniel Shaw, 

of Springfield, Vt. 
Erastus Thomas, b. 26 Jan., 1812. 
Susan, d. 

Jamison, m. Eben York, of Peterborough. 
AngeUne, m. Mills Webb, of Lancaster. 
Emetine, m. John M. Spaulding, of Lancaster. 

Friend* (Jonathan,^ John,- John^), b. 18 April, 1791 ; black- 
smith ; m. Eachel Joan Kidder ; d. in Fitchburg, 
Mass., Aug., 1849, aged 58. 

Lucy A., b. 17 Aug., 1815; m. Cyrus Beal, of Keene; 4 children. 
Phebe J., h. 22 June, 1817; deceased. 

Rosaline D., b. 22 July, 1819 ; m. Luther Keyes; 6 children. 
Emmaranza,h. 16 Nov., 1822, deceased; m. Albert Danforth, of 

Danville, Vt. ; 4 children. 
Samuel Azro, h. 6 Dec, 1824; m. Luthene Frost; res. in West 

Chesterfield, Mass.; children, — Ida, Ada, Lizzie, and George 

A. 
George Azor, h. 23 Dec, 1826; m., 1st, Diantha J. Danforth; 2d, 

Maria J. Trask ; res. in Leicester, Mass. ; children, — 

Luella J. and Georgianna M. 
Adelia L., b. 3 July, 1829, deceased ; m. John A. Nims. 



GENEALOGICAL CORSER. 503 

Josephine i., b. 2{] Dec, 1831 ; m. William Fletcher, of San Frau- 

cisco, Cal.: 2 children. 
Friendly /., b. 10 Feb., 1836; ni. E. E. Johnson, of Chicago, 111.; 

2 children. 

Daniel'' (Jolm,'^ John,- Jolin^), b. in B., 28 Feb., 1775 ; d. in 
Portland, Me., 28 Jul}'. 1853, aged 78 ; m., Jan., 1801, 
Lucy Taft, of Upton, Mass. ; farmer and inn-keeper ; 
settled in Tlietford, Vt. ; lived afterwards in B., where 
his wife d., 15 Jan., 1834, aged 54. 

Lucy Fisher, h. 13 Feb., 1802; m., 3 April, 1810, Daniel M. Winch, 
deceased; res. in Pepperell, Mass. 

Solomon Tafl, b. 24 Dec, 1805. 

Harvey Fisher (Courser), Col., b. 20 Jan., 1809. 

John* (John,^ John,- Johni), b. in B., 24 May, 1777 ; d. there, 21 
Dec, 1860, aged 89; farmer; m., 1801, Mehitable, 
dau. of Daniel Clark, who d. 17 April, 1837, aged 62. 

Bernice, b. 21 July, 1802 ; m., 7 Nov., 1827, John Danforth, of B., 
who d. 1850, aged 65; 2 children. 

Mehitable C, b. 18 Oct., 1804; d. 7 Oct., 1829, aged 24. 

Mary, h. 23 July, 1807 ; res. in Concord. 

John, b. 15 Oct., 1809. 

Phehe IF, b. 15 May, 1812 ; d. 21 July, 1812. 

Paul C, b. 25 June, 1813 ; d. 21 Jan., 1816. 

Phebe, b. 26 April, 1816 ; d. 22 Dec, 1855, aged 39. 

Eunice W., h. 17 May, 1818; ni., 12 Nov., 1845, George C. Lan- 
caster; lived in Concord, where she d. 19 Feb., 1873, aged 
54 ; 5 children. 

David* (Jolin,^ John,^ John^), b. in B., 15 March, 1779 ; m. Abi- 
gail Kilburn. 30 Jan., 1805 ; farmer in B., where he 
d. 26 Dec, 1863, aged 84. 

Freeman, b. 28 April, 1806. 

Mary Ann, b. 1810: d. 30 May, 1836, aged 26; m., 16 Aug., 1835, 

B. F. Locke, of Lowell, Mass. 
Ruth K., b. 18 Dec, 1817 ; m., 17 Aug., 1810, William Green, of 

Waterford, Me. 

EiCE* (John,3 John,2 Johni), b. in B., 29 Sept., 1783 ; d. there, 
12 May, 1852, aged 68 ; tanner and farmer ; followed 
the sea from 1810 to 1821, spending some years in 
China, and suffering shipwreck off the coast of Hol- 
land ; m., 1st, 19 Feb., 1826, Abigail 0. Stickney, of 
Brownfield, Me., who d. 11 May, 1835, aged 39 ; 2d, 
26 May, 1836, Irene Greeley, of Salisbury. 

Marcia Q.,h. 27 Feb., 1827; d. 18 Aug., 1850, aged 23. 

Octavia E., b. 27 March. 1830; d. 11 May, 1853, aged 23. 

Sarah J., b. 22 March, 1832 ; d. 30 March, 1818, aged 16. 

Elizabeth J., b. 6 Jan., 1834; d. 13 July, 1854, aged 20. 

Abba S.. b. 31 May, 1838; res. in Salisbury. 

Edwin G., b. 17 April, 1810. 



504 GENEALOGICAL CORSER. 

John //., b. 7 May, 1843; d. 11 July, 1843. 
Rice V.,\). 29 Nov., 1844; d. 21 April, 1848. 
Rice H., b. 26 July, 1847; d. 5 Sept., 1848. 

Joseph'' (John,3 John,^ John^), b. in B., 7 Feb., 1786 ; d. 6 Jan., 
1873, aged 86 ; farmer in B. ; m., 1st, Elsey Down- 
ing, ISio ; 2d, Lydia Butman, 1849. 

Cliildren of Elsey : 
Judith P., b. 9 Nov., 181.5 ; m. Moses G. Downing, IG June, 1833; 

res. in Lowell, Mass. 
Rice,h. 26 Jan., 1818; farmer in Webster; m. Sarah J. Page, 

1844; ch\\c]ren,— Ursula, IJzzie, Emma, Frank B., Joseph 

II., and Elmer E. 
Ursula, b. 25 Oct., 1820; m. Harvey Newton, of Orange, Vt., 11 

Nov., 1838. 
Nanci/ A., b. 29 Sept., 1823; m. William E. Shattuck, 184-5. 

Timothy* (John,^ John,'^ Jolini), b. in B., 9 March, 1788 ; d. 
there, 6 Sept., 1819, aged 81 ; m. Abiah Eastman, of 
riopkinton, 15 Feb., 1815. 

Ann E., b. 1 April, 1816; m. May, 1830, John J. Coffin, deceased; 

res. in Wis.; 6 children. 
Louisa, b. 2.5 Dec, 1818; m., 2 June, 1841, Solomon B. Greeley, 

of Salisbury; 7 children. 

KiCHAKD* (John,^ John,- John^), b. in B., 16 Aug., 1792 ; m. Khoda 
Shepherd, 19 Aug., 1817 ; moved to Canandaigua, N. 
Y., where he d., 20 Aug., 1845, aged 53. 
Daniel B., b. in B., 8 Oct., 1818. 
Austin G., b. in B., 1 March, 1820. 
.4/mil/., b. 21 July, 1827. 
Charles H., b. 3 June, 1829. 
Mary ./., b. 20 Sept., 1831. 
Lucretia S., b. 5 Oct., 1833. 

David* (David,^ John,^ John^), b. in B., 22 March, 1781 ; farmer; 
moved to New Yorli about 1821, settling in Ogden, 
near Rochester; m., 12 Jan., 1801, Judith, dau. of 
Samuel Burbank, of B. ; d. May, 1850, aged 69. 

Gardiner, b. 29 Dec, 1801. 

Caleb B., Col., b. 14 Oct., 1803. 

Ruth, b. 2 Aug., 1805; m. Hiram Hubbard, of Canandaigua, N. Y., 

deceased ; 6 children. 
Francis S., h. '2i June, 180S; fitted for college; d. 26 Nov., 1831, 

aged 23. 

Eunice P., h. 25 Nov., 1810; m. Hewes, of Canandaigua, N. Y. 

Harriet L., b. in New York, 3 March, 1824; m. Henry C. Church, 

12 Nov., 1844; res. in Lowell, Mass.; 3 children. 

Enoch,* Eev. (David,^' John,- John^), b. in B., 2 Jan., 1787; 
grad. at Middlebury College, 1811 ; preached at Lou- 
don (1817--37), Northfield and Sanboruton Bridge 



GENEALOGICAL CORSER. 505 

(1838-'43), Epping (1845-48), and other places ; re- 
moved to B. in 1848, wliere he d. 17 June, 1868, 
aged 81. He m., 29 May, 1817, Sally, dau. of Col. 
Joseph Gerrish, of B., who d. 1^ Jan., 1851, aged 64. 

Samuel B. G., b. 1.5 Nov., 1818; farmer in B.; grad. at Dart. Coll., 

1841; teacher for several years. 
EllzaheOi M. ./., b. 4 Jan., IS-'l ; res. in ]?. 
Lucrefia jL. F.^ b. 10 Sept., 1823 ; res. in B. 

SiLAs^ (David,'^ John,2 John^), h. in B., 14 Jan., 1789 ; m., 1st, 
1 Nov., 1810, Sarah Annis, of Warner ; 2d, Eveline 
Keeler ; moved to New York, where he d. 19 March, 
1848, aged 59. 
Children of Sarah : 

Elhridge B., b. in B., 18 Jan., 1812. 

Emeline, b. in B.. July, 1814; in. Wright, deceased; res. in 

Albion, N. Y. 

RutJi, b. 13 Oct., 1816. 

Henry H., b. 12 Nov., 1818 ; res. in Cal. 

Susanna, b. 31 Dec, 1822. 

Children of Eveline : 
Henrietta L., b. 16 May, 182^5. 
Sarah Jane, b. 28 March, 1828. 
Alartha M., h. 8 Feb., 183'). 
David W., b. 2.5 March, 1833. 
Elizabeth, b. 23 June, 183.5. 
Helen A., b. 17 March, 1838. 
Ruth, b. 15 June, 1840. 

LuKE^ (David,3 John,- John^), h. in B., 10 March, 1793; m., 1st, 
1824, Mary Clougli, of Loudon, who d. 25 Feb., 1854 ; 
2d, Mrs. Elizabeth (Whitney) Bills ; farmer in AVeh- 
ster. 
Children of Marj^ : 

Joseph C, b. 23 Nov., 1824: d. while a student at Gilmanton acad- 
emy, preparing for college, 13 Oct., 1843, aged 18. 

Francis H., b. 10 Jan., 1827; d. in Canterbury, 2.5 Feb., 185(j, 
aged 29 ; ni., Feb., 1850, Sarah Perkins, who d. 30 March, 
1863; had Clara, h. in B., 16 Dec, 1850, who m., 11 Jane, 
1874, Frank C- Cliurcliill. of Lebanon. 

David W., b. 19 Aug., 1829; d. 25 May, 1833. 

David i>., b. 21 Sept., 1835; mechanic in Concord; m. IMary E. 
Carter, of Concord, 24 May, 1860; has one son, Francis 
Henri/, b. 15 Feb., 1862. 

Bliss^^ (David,3 John,2 John^), h. in B.^ 30 Aug., 1795; m., 1st, 
1 Julv, 1824, Hannah, dau. of Col. John Farmer, of 
B., who d. in Portage, N. Y., 4 Feb., 1852 ; 2d, Pru- 
dence Parmelee, deceased; farmer and inventor; res. 
in Fairview, Penn. 



506 GENEALOGICAL COKSER. 

Bliss W., b. in B., 29 May, 1826; millwright; res. in East Sagi- 
naw, M:ch. ; m. INIargaret Gould, of Oswego, N. Y. ; has 
one son. — Charles F., b. 1857; train-despatcher at Battle 
Creek, Mich. 

John F., b. in Brighton, N. Y., 30 Nov., 1834; shoe merchant in 
Towanda, Peiin. ; m. Hattie E. Smith, 4 Sept., 1861; 
children,— 7/rt7vy P., h. 13 April, 1864; Archie F., b. 27 
July, 1868 ; and John B., b. 14 Oct., 1873. 

Amos^ (James,^ Thonias,^ John,- Johii^), h. in B., 15 Jnl}', 1793, 
deceased ; m. Betsey Bean, of Salisbury, 1819 ; farm- 
er ; res. in B. 

EUzaheth B., b. 8 Aug., 1820; m. Cyrus Fitz, 1843; res. in Web- 
ster ; 6 children. 

Newell J., b. 1824; d. 1829. 

i?e5ecca .4., b. 31) July, 1827, deceased; m. Wilham Pearson, 3 
Jan., 1819 ; res. in Webster; had one sou. 

William B.^ (Courser) (Moses,* Thomas,^ Jolin,^ John^), b. 
1814 ; res. in Warner ; m., 1st, Nancy Morey, 1836 ; 
2d, Mary Ann Whipple. 

Children of Nancy : 

Thomas /., b. July, 1837 ; m., 1st, Sarah E. Todd, of New London; 
2d, 1876^ Addie E. Marden, of New Boston; farmer in 
Webster; had by Sarah, Emma J.. George TF., and Fred. 
Nancy, b. Nov., 1838 ; m. George Hand, of Warner. 

Children of Mary : 

William M., b. Aug., 1843 ; grocer ; m. and lives in Dover. 
James H., b. Nov., 1846, deceased ; ra. Abbie Ticknor. 
3'Iari/ F., b. 1849: m. George Parker, of Springfield. 
Ella J., b. Sept., 185;; ; m. John Sawtelle, of Warner. 
Anna, h. March, 1859. 

Cykus^ (Jonathan,* Jonathan,^ John,- John^), b. in Thetford, Vt., 
13 March, 1802 ; farmer ; m., 1st, Marcia Clough ; 2d, 
Lucretia Heath, deceased ; res. in Thetford. 

3Iarcia /., b. 1841 ; d. 1874, aged 33. 

Edith, b. 1844. 

Ellen A., h. 1845; d. 1863. 

Alphonzo, b. 1851 ; d. 1863. 

Omer B., b. 1854. 

Clark^ (Jonathan,* Jonathan,^ John,^ John^), b. in Thetford, Vt., 
19 June, 1804 ; m., 1st, Caroline Preston ; 2d, Mercy 
West, deceased ; farmer in Norwich, Vt. 

Hersey C. P., b. 5 Dec, 1835 ; foreman in a boot factory, Spencer, 

Mass.; m, Cynthia E. ; chihhen, —Imogene E., 

Edgar P.. and George H. 

Leon W., b. 10 Feb., 1850; res. in Royalston, Mass.; m. and has 
children. 



GENEALOGICAL — CORSER. 507 

Jonathan^ (Jonathan,* Jonathan,^ Jolm,^ John^), h. in Thetford, 
Vt., 17 May, 1806 ; m., 1st., Clarissa Woodwortli ; 2d, 
1847, Salome Shores, deceased ; farmer in Suffield, 
Conn., where he d., 1869, aged 63. 

Martha J., b. 2 Aug., 1840; m. David P. Beebe; res. in Buck- 

lin, Mo.; has 4 children. 
Albert J., h. 21 Oct., 184S ; res. in Suffield ; m. Mrs. Elizabeth P. 

Leach, 26 Aug., 1874. 
Harriet L., h. 8 March, 1851; drowned, 1856. 
Azro B., b. 21 Feb., 1853; m. Julia Cook, 15 March, 1876. 
Mary J., h.l Feb., 1855; ni. Eleazer Lyman, of Suffield; d. 25 

Nov., 1872; 1 daughter. 

EiiASTUS Thomas^ (Josiah,* Jonathan,'^ John,^ John^), b. in 
Compton, C. E., 26 Jan., 1812 ; m., 1st, Harriet 
Evans ; 2d, Laura Grow ; 3d, Xancy Ayer ; 4th, Lucy 
Ayer; farmer; residence (since 1867) in Dummers- 
ton, Vt. 

Children of Harriet : 

Guy T., b. 15 Feb., 1835; paper-maker; m. Ellen M. Gould; has 

several children. 
Charles D., b. -1 May, 1838; machinist; res. in Fitchburg, Mass.; 

m. Priscilla R. Upton; children,— Mar?/, Ilattie L., and 

William C. 
Henry C, b. 31 May, 1839; d. 16 Oct., 1862, aged 23. 
Cellna A., b. 29 April, 1841; m. Frye B. Hopkins, of Springfield. 

Vt.; 1 daughter. 

Child of Nancy : 

Maria A^., b. 10 Oct., 1851 ; m., 3 Nov., 1877, Nelson W. Stevens, 
of South wick, Mass. 

Children of Lucy : 

Frank E., d. young. 
Alfred, d. young. 
Adelhert M., b. 30 June, 1863. 
George E., b. S July, 1865. 
Mary E., b. 5 July, 1868. 
Etta C, b. 17 May, 1873. 

SoLOMOi^ Taft^ (Daniel,'' John,^ John,^ John^), b. in Thetford, 
Vt., 24 Dec, 1805 ; res. in Portland, Me. ; formerly 
superintendent of the G. T. E. R., and more recently 
collector of customs at Portland ; m. Margaret E 
Sawyer, 1 Jan., 1829. 

Harriot X., b. 15 Feb., 1830; m. Dr. John M. Cummino-s, of Port- 
land, 1 March, 1848; 2 children. 

Georye H., b. 11 Nov., 1831 ; d. 31 Aug., 1850, aged 18. 

David F., h. 14 Jan., 1835 ; m. Annie E. Brazier ; res. in Port- 
land; children,— G'eo/v/e H., b. 13 Jan., 1863, and Arthur 
/.,b. May, 1866. 

33 



508 GENEALOGICAL CORSER. 

Margaret E., h. 27 IMarch, 1845; m. Rev. David A. Easton, a 
clergyman of Danbury, Conn., 7 Dec. 1869; 1 daughter. 

Hakvey Fisher-^ (Courser), Col. (Daniel,* Jolin,^ Johii,^ John^), 
b. in Thetford, Vt., 20 Jan., 1809 ; merchant in Nash- 
ua ; m. Maria Estey, of Nashua, 14 May, 1839. 

Lucy A., h. 3 April, 1840; m. William H. Greenleaf, 12 Sept., 

1865; res. in Nashua; has 2 children. 
George A., b. 12 Oct., 1842; d. 1 Sept., 1843. 
Caroline L. E., b. 16 July, 1848; d. 10 Aug., 1849. 

JoHN^ (John,* John,3 John,^ John^), h. in B., 15 Oct., 1809 ; fit- 
ted, for college, and completed one term at Dartmouth ; 
carpenter hy trade ; .settled in Bristol, where he ni. 
Mary A. Greenough, 1838 ; d. in Fisherville, 21 Aug., 
1872. 

William C, b. 29 Aug., 1839; deceased. 

Brackett G., h. 5 Sept., 1841 ; merchant tailor in St. Jolinsbury. 
' Vt. ; m. Mary G. Hyde, of Meriden, 18()2; children, — 

Lulu G., h. 10 July, 1865, and William H., b. 24 Dec, 
1867. 

Mary M., b. 4 April, 1843; m. Leroy C. Shear, of New York city. 

Norman De F., b. 24 Aug., 1845; merchant tailor in Fi;>herville ; 
served in the w^ar of the Rebellion; ra. Emma E. Session; 
children,— Z////fm G., b. 9 April, 1870; Harry E., h. 13 
Aug., 1871; and Herbert //., b. 17 July, 1873." 

Freeman^ (David,* John,^ John,'^ John,^), h. in B., 28 April, 
1806; m. Harriet Crowell, who d. 19 Feb., 1874, aged 
62 ; farmer in Webster. 

Ariadne A., h. 24 Oct., 1834; m. Edson A. Eastman; res. in Con- 
cord ; 4 children. 

Sarepta, b. 20 Sept., 1836 ; d. IG May, 1858, aged 21. 

Hamilton, b. 17 Aug., 1838; served in the war of the Rebellion; 
res. in Nevada. 

Hamlet, b. 13 May, 1843; res. in Webster. 

David S., h. 6 Aug., 1847; attorney-at-law. Concord; served in (he 
war of the Rebellion. 

John C, h. Feb., 1849; res. in Nevada. 

Edwin G.^ (Eice,* John,^ John,- Jolmi), b. in B., 17 April, 1840; 
settled on a farm in Illinois, whence he removed to 
Concord, where he d. 9 May, 1875, aged 35 ; m., 25 
Nov., 1862, Bella Pilkington, of Ellsworth, 111. 

Lizzie L, b. 6 Oct., 1863. 
Willie E.,h. 12 Aug., 1865. 
Harry T.,h.l March, 1868. 
Marcia 0., b. 23 April, 1870. 
Judith A., b. 29 May, 1873. 

Gardiner^ (David,* David,^ Jolm,^ John^), b. in B., 29 Dec, 
1801 ; farmer ; res. in Gates, N. Y., where he d. 4 



GENEALOGICAL CORSER. 600 

July, 1840, aged 38 ; m. Mercy Ann Thomas, of Og- 
den, K Y., 11 Jan., 1825. 

CJmrles A., b. 25 Sept., 18-25; d. 20 Jan., 1828. 

Lewis //., b. 11 Marcli, 1827 ; m. Sarah E. Wells, .of Ogden, N. Y.. 
22 Feb., 1S.5U ; children, — Arabella and Warren G. 

Laura A., b. 19 July, 1828: m. Lewis J3at;ley, of Pembroke, N. Y. 

Frances /., b. 10 Sept., 1830; \n. Edmund Carroll, of Pembroke, 
N. Y. 

Charles A., b. 14 April, 1833; in. Sallie Friedline, of Petnbroke, 
N. Y., 4 July, 1853; children, — Franklin S., Nelson A., 
Leiois E., Charles E., Melvin D., and Frederic J. 

Caroline F., b. 3 May, 1835; d. 5 Aug., 18G7, aged 32; m. Jona- 
than Tiionias, of Ogden, N. Y. 

Caleb B.,^ Col. (David,*' David,^ Jolin,^ Jolm^), b. in B., 14 Oct., 
1803 ; farmer ; settled in Gates, N. Y. ; removed to 
Rochester in 1863, where he d. 26 April, 1875, aged 
71 ; m., 1st, 12 Oct., 1828, Henrietta L. Spencer, of 
Spencerport, jST. Y. ; 2d, 1841, E. Maria Chapman, of 
E. Haddam, Conn. 

Children of Henrietta : 
Helen L., b. 22 Dec, 1829; m. George R. Poulton, deceased; res. 

in Spencerport, N. Y. 
Francis S.,h. 13 July, 1833 ; res. in Rochester, N. Y. 
Elwood S., b. 3 Oct., 1835. 

Children of E. Maria: 

Frederic G., b. 12 June, 1849; architect; res. in Minneapolis, Minn. 
Caleb E., b. 1851 ; d. in infancy. 
Henrietta M., b. 1853 ; d. in infancy. 

Elwood S.« (Caleb B.,^ David,* David,^ John,^ John^), b. in 
Gates, K Y., 3 Oct., 1835; resides in Minneapolis, 
Minn. ; real estate dealer, and member of the city 
government ; has an lionorable record as a soldier 
in the war of the Eebellion, serving in Co. B., 93d 
Eeg't N. Y. Vols., from Oct., 1861, to May, 1864, in 
the various grades from private to compan^^ com- 
mandant, and receiving a severe wound at Spott- 
sylvania Court House, 12 May, 1864, which ended 
his service ; m. 18 Oct., 1861, Mary A. Eoycraft. 

Marrj E.,h.8T>ec, 18(33. 

Helen //., b. 13 July, 18G5. 



510 GENEALOGICAL COUCH, 



COUCH. 

Compiled by Ephraim Little. 

Joseph^ emigrated from Wales about 1740, and settled first in 
Newljuryport, but removed to Boscawen, probably in 
1768. His name first appears on the tax-list for 1769. 
He resided where Miss Nancy E. Couch now lives. 
Died 1784. Married, 1st, Elsie Kowell ; 2d, Mrs. 
Mary [?] Webster; 3d, Mrs. Muzzey. 

Children of Elsie : 

John,h. 1749; d. July, 1837. 
Elsie, in. John Sawyer, Hopkinton. 
Benjamin, b. 25 June, 1753; d. 26 April, 1816. 
Joseph, b. Dec, 1755; d. 7 Feb., 1821. 

Child of Mary : 
Mary, b. 22 March, 1761 ; m. Friend Little; d. 14 May, 1834. 

JoHN^ (Joseph^), m. Polly Gordon ; settled on Battle st. ; moved 
to Springfield, where he lived seven years ; moved to 
Salisbury. When he moved to Springfield he was 
obliged to draw his goods upon a hand-sled for the 
last seven miles, using snow-shoes. Mrs. Couch fol- 
lowed in his track, carrying an infant in her arms. 
Occasionally she would sink so deeply as to be com- 
pelled to lay the child down on the snow in order to 
extricate herself. Mr. Couch was an expert with the 
rifle, and shot three bears near his house in Salisbury 
— the last that were killed in the vicinity. He was 
also an expert in throwing stones, killing in one day 
fourteen partridges in that manner. 

William, b. 19 Oct., 1775; d. 11 April, 1856. 

Elsie, m. Nathaniel Ware; settled in Whitefield. 

John, d. in infancy- 

John, b. 7 May, 1780 ; d. 7 Oct., 1866. 

Polly, m. Enoch Colby. j 

Daniel, killed by a kick from a horse. 

Joseph, d. young. 

Abigail, m. Bagley Colby. 

Amos, b. in Salisbury, 11 May, 1790. 

Rachel, m. Caleb Watson, Salisbury. 

Samuel, d. 8 Jan., 1866. 

Sally, d. in infancy. 

Benjamin, d. in infancy. 

Benjamin" (Joseph^) m. Rachel Heath, of Hampstead ; settled 
on Battle st. ; soldier at Bunker Hill, and was wounded. 
Nathaniel //., b. 5 Nov., 1777; d. 10 July, 1844. 
Jose2}h, b. 10 Jan., 1780; d. 1 Aug., 1832. 



GENEALOGICAL COUCH. 511 

Polly P., b. 10 May, 1782; m. William Clough, Ilopkinton ; d. 24 

Jan., 186.5. 
Benjamin, b. 8 March, 1785; d. 8 Aug., 1835. 
Samuel, b. 25 Jan., 1789 ; d. 1 March, 1858. 
Sally, b. 5 Feb., 1796 ; m. Ebed Lewis, Newburyport; d. 3 March, 

1827. 

Joseph- (JoseiA^) was soldier in Revolution, enlisting from New- 
buryport ; m. Sarah Pillsburj^, of that city ; lived on 
homestead, now residence of Miss Nancy E. Couch. 

Enoch, b. 23 Nov., 1785; d. 18 Aug., 1789. 

Sally, b. 23 Aug., 1787; m. Samuel Little; d. 5 June, 1852. 

Jos^epli, Capt., b. 23 May, 1789; d. at ISTashua, 1851. 

Enocli, b. 12 April, 1793 ; d. 23 April, 1867. 

Phehe,h. 2 July, 1798; m. Hershal Green, of Salisbury. 

Eunice T., b. 4 July, 1810; m. Peter Coffin, of B. 

William^ (John,^ Joseph^) m., 1st, Polly Quimby; 2d, Sally 
Little. 

Children of Polly : 

Sally, b. 6 June, 1799; m. Daniel C. Sargent, Warner. 
Sophronia, b. 8 Nov., 1801; m. John Greeley, Salisbury; d. 26 

April, 1876. 
Simeon, b. 15 Jan., 1804 ; d. April, 1836. 
Hannah, b. 29 May, 1806; m. True Flanders, Salisbury. 
Abigail, b. 21 Jan., 1809; m., 1st, John Currier; 2d, Joseph L. 

Couch. 
Daniel TF., b. 16 Oct., 1812. 
Albert /., b. 9 March, 1814. 

Mary, h. 31 Oct., 1816 ; m. Humphrey Jacknian, Warner. 
Emily M., b. 29 April, 1827 ; m. Alfred S. Hilliard. 

JoHN^ (John,2 Joseph^) m. Lydia Bean, Salisbury. 

Sally, b. 21 Jan., 1804 ; m. Paul Pearson, of B. ; d. 27 Nov., 1875. 
Eliza, h. 8 Dec, 1807; m. Nathan Pearson, of B. ; d. 17 Aug., 

1877. 
Miriam, b. 11 March, 1810; m., 1st, Nathaniel Webster, Salisbury; 

2d, Jonas jNlerriam, Concord. 
John, b. 4 Aug., 1814. 

Amos^ (John,2 Joseph^) lived in Salisbury ; moved to P., 1821 ; 
m. Hannah Pay, Henniker, 20 March, 1814, who d. 
24 July, 1853. 

Hale, b. in Salisbury, 26 May, 1814 ; d. 29 Aug., 1853. 

Eunice, b. in Salisbury, 15 March, 1818. 

Charles R., b. in B., 22 Oct., 1823; d. 1 Aug., 1824. 

Charlotte, b. in B., 12 April, 1826 ; m. Moody A. Pillsbury, Jr. 

Samuel^ (John,^ Joseph^) m., 1st, Susan Call, of B. : 2d, Sally 
Moody, of B. ' J > J 



512 GENEALOGICAL COUCH. 

Cliililren of Susan : 

Henry C, b. 28 July, 182L 

Martha, J., b. 7 May, 1823; d. 28 Oct., 18-16. 

Georcje W., b. U Aug., 1825; d. 13 July, 1867. 

Levi IF., b. 19 Sept., 1827. 

Charles, b. 18 Oct., 1829. 

Adaline, b. 23 April, 1833; m. Nathan Tucker, Salisbury. 

I^ATHANiEL H.^ (Benjamin,^ Joseph^), m. Elizabeth Calef, Salis- 
bury. 

Nancy A., b. 15 Jan., 1801; m. Amos Stone ; d. 2 Nov., 1874. 
Polly, b. 8 Dec, 1805 ; d. 27 Dec, 1823. 
John G., b. 26 April, 18(j9. 

Joseph^ (Benjamin," Joseph^), a prominent school teacher; one 
of the founders of the Christian Union Society ; m. 
Meele Howard, Salisbury. 

Samuel Dana, b. 30 Jan., 1806; d. 30 March, 1872. 

Joseph Lancj, b. 19 Feb., 1810. He was for many years an instruc- 
tor of youth, having taught fourteen terms in B., besides 
teaching in a neighboring town. Enjoys in large measure 
the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Has been 
many years justice of the peace and quorum. Married 
Mrs. Abigail Currier. 

Eliza, b. 8 Jan., 1814; m. Samuel L. Couch. 

Benjamin, b. 3 April, 1817; m. Lydia S. Currier, Hill; moved to 
Warner. 

Sarah, h. 4 Feb., 1820; ni. Erastus Bugbee ; d. in Chelsea, Yt., 3 
April. 1860. 

Gerrish, b. 2 July, 1825; d. 20 Nov., 1846. 

Benjamin^ (Benjamin,^ Joseph^) m. Sally Morse, of B. 

Prescott, b. 17 May, 1809 ; d. 4 April, 1837. 

James S., b. 7 May, 1811; d. 21 June, 1877. 

Amos A., h. 23 June, 1815; ni. Abigail S. Remick. 

Plummer, h. in B., 8 Feb., 1818; d. 20 April, 1859, Peoria county, 
111. 

Piachel, b. 20 May, 1820 ; ni. Stephen Blaisdell, Goffstown. 

Benjamin Calvin, b. 19 Sept., 1822; ni. INIartha J. Calef, Salis- 
bury; lives in Tiskilwa, 111. 

Harriman, b. 22 Mav, 1825; m. Phebe A. Parslial, 111. 

Caleb Kniqht, b. 11 June, 1829; m. Sophia H. Hall, 111.; d. 4 Feb., 
1867. 

Samuel^ (Benjamin,- Joseph^) m. Eunice Howard, Salisbury. 

Samuel L., b. 29 Jan., 1815; d. 2 July, 1872. 

Hiram il/., b. 16 Feb., 1818; d. 13 Dec, 1862 ; physician in George- 
town, Mass. 
Ira Harris, b. 17 July, 1821. 
Elhridge D., b. 27 July, 1825. 
Ellen 21., b. 5 April, 1835. 



GENEALOGICAL COUCH. 513 

Joseph^ (Joseph,- Joseph^) m. Mehitable Pettiiigill, of Salisbury, 
1816. She d. Sept., 1874. 
Enoch P., b. 26 Jan., 1819 ; m. Clarinda E. Kirk, 1844. 
Joseph, b. 1821 ; d. 1828. 

Enoch^ (Joseph,"-^ Joseph^) m., 1st, Nancy Eastman ; 2d, Jane 0. 
Stickney. 

Children of Jane : 
Nancy E., b. 12 Feb., 1835. 
Joseph, h. 22 March, 1837; d. 14 IMarcli, 1872. 
Mart/ S., b. 12 June, 1844; m. Orlando Whitney; d. 17 April, 
1876, leaving one child, Herbert C, h. 16 Nov., 1867. 

Simeon* (William,'^ John," Joseph^) m. Eosamond Colby, of War- 
ner. 
Edgar 0.. h. 2 Jan., 1834 ; soldier in war of It^bcUion ; died in 

isebel prison at Danville, Va., 16 Jan.. 1865. 
diaries H., b. 22 Jan., 1836; m. IVIarinda Morrill. 
Simeon A., b. June, 1838; m. Mrs. Barr. 

Daniel W.* (William,^ John,^ Joseph^) m., 1st, Mary A. Davis, 
New London ; 2d, Ednor J. Austin, Sutton. 

Children of Islary : 
Edmond D., b. 24 July, 1840. 
Sarah J., b. 7 Jan., 1842. 

Emlli/ il/., b. 24 June, 1844; d. 11 April, 1875. 
Kate P., b. 18 Aug., 1846; d. 3 March, 1861. 
Charles H., b. 20 July, 1848. 
Laura A., b. 14 March, 1850, 
John T., h. 10 May, 1853. 

Children of Ednor : 
Daniel A.,h. 31 Oct., 1857. 
Frank IF., b. 21 July, 1861. 
Cora E.,h. 13 May, 1865. 
Alonzo, b. 23 June," 1871. 

Albert J.* (William,^ John," Joseph^) m., 1st, Ruth Sargent, 
Warner ; 2d, Abbie B. Smith, Weare. 

Children of Ruth : 

Calvin P. ,'b. 2 Sept., 1835. 

Retire il/., b. 5 April, 1839; m., 1st, Minnie Leavitt ; 2d, Sarah 

Goodrich. 
Marietta L., b. 31 March, 1841 ; d. 3 Nov., 1873. 
Ellen il/., b. 16 May, 1843; ra. Cyrus Dow, Warner. 
Albert R., b. 20 Sept., 1848; d. 20 Nov., 1851. 

Children of Abbie : 
Abbie B., b. 23 Dec, 1855; m. Leroy C. Stevens, Manchester. 
Lizzie K., b. 14 Aug., 1857; d. 14 March, 1858. 
WintJirop 5.,b. 1 Oct., 1859. 



514 GENEALOGICAL COUCH. 

JoH>-* (John,'^ Johu,- Joseph^) in., 1st, Almeda Greeley, Frank- 
lin ; 2d, Maria Pickering, Barustead. 

Cliildren of Almeda : 
Benjamin Warren^ b. 15 Aug., 1837. 

Clara A., b. 4 Jan., 1840; m. Charles Rowell; d. 8 May, 1867. 
Eliza J., b. 15 Aug., 1842; m. Edward Clougli, Canterbury. 

Hale* (Amos,^ John," Josepli^) m. Adeline Hale. 

Horace, b. 4 Nov., 1846; m. Clara F. Burpee; d. 19 Aug., 1872. 
Henry C* (Samuel,^ Jolin,^ Joseph) m., 1st, Sarah J. Melvin, of 
Weare ; 2d, Emily C. Page, of Warner. 
Child of Sarah : 
Frank il/., b. 24 Dec, 1850; d. 25 June, 1851. 

Children of Emily : 
Sara7iJ.,h. 7 Nov., 1857. 
Clarence E., b. 4 Aug., 1859. 
Ida E., b. 13 March, 1861. 
EllaF., b. 16 July, 1864. 
Carrie E.,h.S Sept., 1866. 
Eddie, b. 28 Sept., 1872. 

George W.* (Samuel,^ John,- Joseph^) m. Mehitable Eastman, 
Warner. 
Frank S., b. 17 June, 1857. 
William O., b. 18 Aug., 1860. 
Herbert G., b. 23 Sept., 1863. 
Samuel M,, b. 4 April, 1866. 

Levi W.* (Samuel,^ John,^ Joseph^) m. Mary J. Abbott. 

Arthur v., b. 24 Aug., 1860. 

Alice v., b. 4 May, 1864 ; d. 19 Sept., 1865. 

Annie L., b. 26 April, 1867; d. 27 April, 1867. 

Carlos I., b. 16 July, 1869. 

JIary H., b. 31 Oct., 1874. 

Charles* (Samuel,^ John,- Joseph^) m., 1st, Lucretia M. Abbott, 
of Plymouth ; 2d, Mrs. Judith Bullock, of B. 
Child of Lucretia: 
Levant M., b. 27 Jan., 1868; d. 21 Sept., 1872. 
John Gilman* (Nathaniel H.,^ Benjamin,- Joseph^) m. Eliza Calef. 
Infant, b. 10 Mav, 1844; d. 11 May, 1844. 
David N., b. 23 July, 1846. 
JohnB.,h.2Q Aug., 1849. 

Samuel Dana* (Joseph,^ Benjamin,- Joseph^) m. Hannah Stone. 
Henry J., h. 23 April, 1831. 
George S., b. 22 Sept., 1833. 
Waller S., b. 22 Sept.. 1837. 
Clam J., b. 17 Aug., 1844; m. John M. Meserve, Lawrence, Mass. 



GENEALOGICAL COUCH. 



515 



Prescott* (Benjamin,^ Beujamin/- Joseph^) la. Jane W. Sliat- 
tuck. 
George P., b. 10 Feb., 1835 ; d. 15 July, 1837. 

James S.^ (Benjamin,^ Benjamin/- Josepli^) m. Mary .Eastman, 
Hopkinton. 
Raclid C, b. 23 April, 1815; m. Luke Call, Jr. 

Plummek/ Rev. (Benjamin,^ Benjamin-) moved to Illinois ; was 
Methodist minister tliere ; tn. Clarissa Brooks, Elm 
Grove, Tazewell county. 111., 26 Sept., 1839. 

Calvin B., b. 10 Nov., 1840. 

Manj E., b. 9 Nov., 1812; m. Rev. T. S. Fowler, Limestoue, 111., 

Dec, 1876. 
Sarah.h. 18 March, 1815; d. 29 April, 1815. 
Lulher, b. 3 June, 1816. 

Lewis C, b. 29 July, 1818; d. 20 Feb., 1859. 
Clara E.,h. 8 May, 1851; m. Veeder Vanpetter, Limestone, 111., 

1870. 
Ella M., b. 22 Oct., 1853; d. 22 March, 1856. 
Thomas B., b. 16 Nov., 1855; m. Mary Branson, Kingston, 111., 19 

March, 1877. 
Fm«/.:P., b. 3 Sept., 1857. 
Francelia E., b. 22 Sept., 1859. 

Samuel Lyman^ (Samuel,^ Benjamin/-^ Joseph^) m. Eliza Couch. 

Warren, b. 7 July, 1811. 
Joseph, b. 18 Feb., 1843. 
Silas W., b. 5 Jan., 1816. 

Calvix P.5 (Albert J.,* William^) m. Martha Kennedy, Concord, 
Nov., 1865. 
Justin D, b. 11 Aug., 1866; d. 27 May, 1872. 
Itoswell S., b. 13 Dec, 1867. 
Maud A., h. 6 Nov., 1872. 

Bexjamin Warken^ (John,* John,*' John') m. Susie C. Wood- 
Avard, Hartland, Vt., 3 March, 1864. 

John H., b. 15 June, 1865. 
Benjamin W., b. 19 Aug., 1873. 

Hexry J.^ (Samuel D.,* Joseph,^ Benjamin-) m. Mary E. Davis, 
1 Jan., 1857. 

Charles H., b. 30 Sept., 1858. 

Arthur D., b. 30 Sept., 1861; d. 17 Jan., 1863. 

Alfred G., b. 21 Aug., 1863; d. 26 Aug.. 1863. 

Omar E., b. 2 Dec, 1864. 

Grace Ina, b. 1 Oct., 1866; d. 17 Oct., 1866. 

George S.^ (Samuel D.,* Joseph,^ Benjamin^) m., 1st, Susan B. 
Webster, 11 Jan., 1860 ; 2d, Helen E. Davis. 



•516 GENEALOGICAL — DANFORTH. 

Children of Susan : 

Herhert W., b. 23 June, 1861; d. 30 Nov., 1861. 
Almon W., b. 2 Jan., 1863. 
Lilian M., b. 22 Feb., 1867. 

Walter S.^ (Samuel D.,* Josejih/'' Benjamin^) m. Sarah J, 
Webster. 
Albert I., h. 12 July, 1867. 

Calvin B.,^ Rev. (Plummer,* Benjamin^) m. Mattie K. Zoll, Ver- 
mont, Fulton Co., BL, 22 Oct., 1867. 
Willie A., b. 23 April, 1870. 
Frank H., h. 20 J i\]y, 1873. 

DANFORTH. 

William^ was born in London, probably 1653. He was a resi- 
dent of Newbury, 1667. His first wife died 18 Oct., 
1678, leaving no children. He married, 2d, Sarah 
Thorla. 

William. 

Mary. 

Richard, b. 31 June, 1080. 

John, b. 8 Dec, 1681; d. Oct., 1772. 

Jonathan, b. 18 May. 1685. 

Thomas, b. 11 Sept", 1088. 

Francis, b. 15 March, 1691. 

Joseph, b. 12 May, 109^. 

NatHxINIel,^ grandson of the above, was one of the first settlers 
of B., came 1733. 

Abigail, b. 7 Jan., 1735 — the first child born in B. She m. Thomas 

Foss. 
Elkannah, in. Mary Flanders, dan. of Jacob; he lived on Fish st.; 

had son, Joshua, who took the name of Joshua Carleton. 

William,^ probably brother of Nathaniel, a grandson of William^ ; 

m. Flood ; came to B., 1733 ; owned at one 

time the mill at head of King st. 
William, b. 18 Aug., 1748; m. Olive Elliot; d. 13 Oct., 1838. 

Jedediah, m. Rix, dau. o£ Nathaniel Rix. 

Marij, m. John Johnson. 
Susan, m. Nathan Corser. 

William* (William''), b. 18 Aug., 1748 ; m. Olive Elliot. 
Polly, b. 22 Nov., 1772; m. Folsom Bean, 
Ruth, b. 20 Feb., 1777 ; m. Seth Conner. 
Enoch, b. 19 Oct., 1774; m. Hannah Haines. 
William, b. 22 Jan., 1780; ra. Betsey Putney; d. 24 Sept., 1846. 
.John, b. Aug;., 1784; d. in infancy. 

John, b. 18 iDec, 1785; m. Bernice Corser; d. 18 Feb., 1850. 
Edmund, b. 8 July, 1791; m. Rhoda Cloagh; d. 24 Oct., 1854. 



GENEALOGICAL — DANFORTH. 51T 

William^ (William^), h. 22 Jan., 1780 ; m. Betsey Putney ; d. 
24 Sept., 1846. 

John Putney, h. ii Oct., 1811; m. Susan S. ruhiey. 

Polly, h. 3 Feb. 1815; m. Nathan Kilhinn. 

Tainson, b. 1 March, 1817; in. Josepli W. Jackman; lives in B. 

Albert, h. 21 Dec, 1819; m., 1st, Mary A. Fitts ; ^d, Elizabeth 

Nichols; Sd, Rosanna E. Sanders. 
William, b. 2 May, 1823 ; m., 1st, Martha Sever ; 2d, Lncia Nichols; 

lives in Minn. ; civil enyineer. 
Orplm, b. 22 Jan., 1827; d. U Aug., 1818. 

Edmund^ (William*), h. 8 July, 1791 ; m. Elioda Clougli. 

Hannah, b. 21 Dec, 1819; m. Daniel Milton. 

Rhoda, b. 3 Sept.. 1821; d. 21 June, 1834. 

Enoch, b. 4 May, 1825; m.,lst, Melissa Colby; 2d, Lydia Fisk; lives 
in Hopkinton. 

Georfje Sullivan, b. 6 May, 1827; m., 1st, Maria Colby; 2d, Susan 
Gwiu; lives in San Francisco. 

Reuben C, b. 17 Aug., 1829 ; m. Anna M. Dow; lives in Concord. 

Charles S.. b. 14 Nov., 1831 ; m. Fanny W. Wallace; lives in Con- 
cord. 

Edmund, b. 12 Jan., 1834; m. Mary Safferty; lives in Cal. 

Rhoda Roseita, b. 11 March, 1843 ; m. Josiah C. Shaw, 

JoHN^ (William*), b. 18 Dec, 1785 ; m. Bernice Corser. 

Orin, b. June, 1831 ; m. Abra Morrill ; lives in Gloucester, Mass.; 

cliildren, — Arthur, JSlary M(n-rill. 
Etta (christened Mehitahle),h. 16 Oct., 1834 ; m. A. P. Bennett; d. 

27 May, 1876. 

PvEUBEJf C.« (Edmund,MVilliam,* William^), b. 17 Aug., 1829; 
m. Anna M. Dow, of Concord, 20 June, 1860. 

Marian Elena, b. 8 June, 1862 ; d. 1 Feb., 1863. 
Marian Louisa, b. 25 April, 1864. 
Carrie L., b. 26 July, 1867 ; d. 29 Oct., 1867. 
Harry ^., b. 1 Jan., 1876. 

Enoch« (Edmund^), b. 4 May, 1824 ; m., 1st, Melissa Colby ; 2d, 
Lydia Fisk. 
Nancy A., Edward Everett, Edmund. 

George Sullivan® (Edmund^), b. 6 May, 1827 ; m., 1st, Maria 
Colby ; 2d, Susan Clwin. 
Edmund, Harry. 

Edmund® (Edmund^), b. 12 Jan, 1834 ; m. Mary Safferty ; four 
children. 

John Putney® (William^) m. Susan Putney. 

Henry P., b. Nov., 1845. 
Emily J., b. June, 1848. 



518 



GENEALOGICAL DLX. 



Albert*' (William^) m., 1st, Mary Ann, dan. of Ri.liard Fitts, 
of B. : 2d, Nancy Elizabeth Nidiols ; 3d, Mrs. E. E. 
Sanders. 

Children of Mary Ann : • 

Fltts Albert, b. 7 June, 1810. 
Mary Ann, infant ; d. 9 Feb., 1851. 

Children of Nancy Elizabeth : 

Lucius Nichols, b. 2 April, 18.51. 
Manj Lizzie, b. 18 Oct., 1857. 

Child of R. E. Sanders : 
Emma Lucinda, 22 Feb., 18G1. 
William" (William^) m., 1st, Martha Sever; 2d, Lncia Nichols. 
Children of Lucia : 

William, b. 1861. 
Lucia, b. Sept., 1865. 

DIX. 

Compiled by Alfred Little. 

Ealph,! one of the early settlers of Ipswich, Mass. ; a fisherman ; 

removed to Eeading, 1662; m. Esther ; died 

there 24 SejDt., 1688. 

John, b. 1659; d. 12 March, 1745. 

Samuel, b. 1661. 

Stephen, b. 1664; d. young. 

Stejihen, b. 1672. 

Sarah. 

John- (Ealph^) lived on the homestead at Eeading; m., 1st, Ly- 
dia ; 2d, Anna, widow of Joseph Fitch, 1700. 

Children of Lydia : 

iS;,^. and d. 1693. 

Lydia, b. 1695; d. 1709. 
Sarah, b. 1697. 
Elizabeth, b. 1699. 

Children of Anna : 

Anna. b. 1702. 

Samuel, b. 1706. 

Mary b. 1708. 

Jonathan, b. 11 April, 1710. 

James, b. 1712. 

Edson, b. 1714. [See Hist. Reading.] 



GENEALOGICAL — DLX. 



519 



JoxATHAN^ (Jolin,^ Ealph^), h. at Reading ; was a tanner at Lit- 
tleton, Mass. ; removed to B. ; died there at the resi- 
dence of his son, Timothy, 24 Dec, 1804, aged 94 
years, 8 months, 13 days ; was member of church 
more than 75 years ; m., 1st, Sarah, dan. of Eev. Ben- 
jamin Shattuck, of Littleton, Mass., 28 June, 1739, 
who d. there 30 Sept., 1775, aged 55 years, 9 months, 
17 days [see Shattuck Memorial]; 2d, Miriam Le- 
land, of Hollis, Jan., 1779, who d. there about 1833, 
aged nearly 90. 

One of Sarah's children was 

Tlmothi, b. 7 Dec, 1743; d. 1824. 
Child of Miriam : 

j\Iiruiin, d at LloUis, aged about 30. 

Timothy* (Jonathan,^ John^) settled in B. ; was post-master for 
many years ; removed to Pembroke, where he died. 
Married, 1st, Eachel Burbank, of Bow, 13 Aug., 1769 ; 
2d, Mrs. Brown ; 3d, Mrs. Eliza Cunningham, 

of Pembroke. 

Chililren of Rachel : 

TiwolJi!/, d. at French Mills, C. E., 14 Xov., 1S13. 
Jusicih Brown, d. iu chililhood. 

Timothy,^ Col. (Timothy,'* Jonathan^) was merchant in B. [see 
Biog.] ; m., 1st. Abigail Wilkins, of Amherst, 20 
March. 1792, who d. 3 Dec, 1808 ; 2d, Lucy Hart- 
well, of Littleton, Mass., 3 July, 1809; who d. 30 
Dec, 1863. 

Children of Abigail : 

Abigail WilJdn:^, b. 19 Nov., 1792; d. 9 Mav, 1852 ; m. Gen. Moody 

A. PiUsbury, of B., 1 Oct., 1818. 
Rachel Durhanl; b. 18 April, 1794; d. 15 Jan., 1827, at Malta; m. 

Rev. Daniel Temple, of Reading, Mass., 4 Dec, 1821. 

Were missionaries at Malta, for which place they sailed 2 

Jan., 1822. 
Timollni Fuller Shattuck, b. 11 Feb., 179G ; d. 16 Oct., 1808. 
John A<lam><, b. 24 July, 1798. 
Soj>hla Wilkin.'<, b. 1 May, 1800; d. 26 Jan., 1835, Portland, Me. ; 

m. Joshua C. Plummer, of B., 25 Dec, 1828. 
Marion Means, b. 17 April, 1802 ; d. July, 1860, iu Brookline, 

Mass.; m. John \Y. Sullivan, 15 Dec, 1825. 
Lucy Jane, b. 8 April, 1804; d. 9 Feb.. 1858, in Bradford, Pa.; m. 

1st, Philip H. Webster, of Bristol, 31 May, 1826, mer. 

chant at Danbury, who d. 7 Dec, 1830; 2d, Col. Leavitt C. 

Little, formerly of B., 30 June, 1837; lived at Bradford, Pa, 



520 GENEALOGICAL DURGIN. 

Louisa Frances, b. 22 July, 1S06; m., 1st, Gen. Moody A. Pills- 
bury, of B., 25 Nov., 1852; 2d, Rev. Edward Buxton, of 
Webster, 29 Dl^c., 1871. 

Martlia Sherman, h. 16 Oct., 18U8; d. 11 Jan., 1809. 

Children of Lucy : 

Roger Sherman, b. 7 June, 1810; d.7 Jan., 1819, Hillsborough, Pa. 
Timothy Broivne, b. 21 Jan., 1812. 

Catherine Hartwell, b. 19 May, 1813; m. Hon. John A. BoUes, 
Washington, D. C. 

JoHX A.,® Gen. (Timothy,^ Col., Timothy*), m. Catharine Morgan, 
of New York city, 29 May, 1826. [See Biog.] 

Morgan, b. 1 Nov., 1827, in New York; rector of Trinity church, 

of that city; m. Emily Woolsey Souther, of New York 

city, 6 June, 1874. 
Baldwin, h. 28 Nov., 1829, at Cooperstown, N. Y.; d. 1852, New 

York city. 
John Will-ins, b. 8 Dec, 1832, at Albany, N. Y.; d. 21 April, 1877, 

in New York city. 
Elizabeth Morgan, h. 7 May, 1835, at Albany; m. Charles F. Blake, 

New York city, 11 April, 1860. 
Charles Temple, h. 25 Feb., 1838, at Albany; m. Camilla Ottalie 

Watson, in Loudon, Eug., 9 March, 1868; d. at Rome, 

March, 1872. 
Catharine Morgan, b. 14 Jan., 1843, in Madeira; m. Thomas Walsh, 

in Paris, 16 April, 1868. 
Anna Maria, b. and d. July, 1847, East Hampton, N. Y. 

EoGER SiiEUMAiS-,*' Licut. Col. (Timotliy,^ Col., Timotliy*), m. 
Mrs. Mary Dean. [See Biog.] 

Catharine Morgan, Emma Sherman^ Fannij Beall. 

Timothy Browne'' (Timothy,^ Col., Timothy*) m. Caroline L. 
Gibbs, Dec, 1847. 

Florence. 

Evelyn. 

Roger Sherman, b. 10 Dec, 1861. 

DURGIK 

Compiled by Mrs. E. W. Durgin. 

William-' came from England with a brother, 1690, and settled 
in Mass. 

William,^ b. 1717 ; m. Hannah Elliott ; had seven sons and fire 
daughters ; settled in Epping ; moved thence to San- 
bornton, 1768 ; d. 1787. 

JoHN,^ b. 13 Aug, 1756 ; m. Lydia Morrison ; had eight children ; 
d. 16 Oct., 1848. 



GENEALOGICAL — EASTMAN. 521 

Samuel Morklsox,* b. 20 July, 1790 ; moved to B., 1812, '13 ; 
m. Hannah, dau. Capt. Joseph Pearson, of Haverhill ; 
settled in the valley near the church ; erected building 
now occupied by Charles J. Chadwick and son, for 
dressing cloth and carding wool. He manufactured 
hand spinning and linen wheels ; carried on carriage- 
making and wheelwright business. He was deputy 
sheriff for many years, and selectman, and held vari- 
ous other offices of trust. He was a kind neighbor 
and an excellent citizen. He d. 19 June, 1874. His 
wife, b. 1 Jan., 1788, d. 15 Feb., 18G9. 

Horace Johnson, b. 20 June, 1817; m. Jane, widow of Simeon 
Stevens, of Andover, I\Iass.; resides in Lawrence, Mass; 
one child, Maria, b. 19 Nov., 1850. 

Susan Pearson, b. 19 May, 1820; m. H. N. Atkinson; d. 10 May, 
1869. 

Sarah Ann, b. U May, 1822. 

Isaac Pearson, b. 8 June, 1826. 

Ezekiel Webster, b. 15 June, 1831. 

Isaac Pearson^ (Samuel M.*) m. Eliza J., dau. of James M. 
Mitchell, 26 Dec, 1851. 
Plumie A., b. 18 Sept., 1853; d. 4 Oct., 1853. 
Annie C, b. 24 Jan., 1855; d. 7 June, 1865. 
3Iary S., b. 15 June, 1857. 
Willie L, b. 29 Aug., 1859. 
Eddie C, b. 31 Dec, 1863. 

Ezekiel W.^ (Samuel M.*) m. Mary A., dau. of Lysias Emerson, 
25 Dec, 1866. 
Everett W., h. 23 Sept., 1867. 
Sarah Edith, b. 20 Jan., 1871. 
Mary Alice, b. 11 June, 1872. 
Frank H., h. 13 March, 1875. 

EASTMAN. 

Compiled by William Temple. 

E/OGER^ came from England in 1640 ; settled at Salisbury. 

Joseph^ (Benjamin,^ Eoger^) was the youngest son of Benjamin 
and I^aomi (Flanders) Eastman ; b. in Salisbury, 
Mass., 17 July, 1700 ; m., 24 Sept., 1724, Mrs. Doro- 
thy (Lindsey) Quimby. 

Elizabeth, b. 1 May, 1725. 

Sarah, b. 24 Nov.,' 1726. 

Naomi, b. 17 Dec, 1728; m. Joseph Long, of Chester. 

Benjamin, b. 9 Sept., 1730; lived where Hamilton P. Gill now 

lives. 
Elenor, b. 16 April, 1732. 



522 GENEALOGICAL EASTMAN. 

TimnfJuj, m. Hannah Richardson, d. 1820, aged 87. 
Susanna, m. Winthrop Carter, of B.; d. 1828, aged 90. 
Jeremiah, b. in B., 5 Feb., 1740. The other children were b. in 
Salisbury, Mass. 

Joseph,'* C;ipt. (Joseph,^ John,^ Roger^) m., 1st, Elizalx'th Jack- 
inau, dau. of George Jackman ; 2d, Abigail Eastman, 
of Coiicord. He was captain N. H. Rangers; moved 
to Concord; d. 1815, aged 95. [See Biog.] 

Cliilclren of Elizabeth : 

Willianh b. 12 Feb., 1708; ra. Phebe Elliot; settled at Horse Hill. 
Elizabeth, b. 19 Sept., 1761; d. young. 

Children of Abigail: 
Ilenrtf, h. 12 July, 17G5. 
Jame^, b. 5 Aug., 1707. 
Doroth/j. b. 7 Aug., 1769. 
Nathan, h. -W July, 1772. 
Naomi, b. 1 1 Feb., 1775. 
Polli/, b. 15 Oct., 1780. 
Sarah, b. 30 Ju]y,178o. 

Bexjamin* (Joseph^) m. Snsannah Jackman ; resided in B. till 
1781 ; moved to Newport. 
Jeremiah, b. 2 July. 1758. 
Johnson, b. 15 JMarch, 1704. 
Susannah, b. Aug.. 1766. 
Ezra, b. 4 Jane,l7(i9. 
Enoch, b. 26 Oct., 1772. 
Amos, b. 18 Dec, 1774. 
Hannah, b. IS March, 1777. 
Benjamin, b. 22 June, 1781. 
Susannah, b. 6 March, 1784. 

TiMOTHV* (Joseph^), h. 1733 ; m. Hannah Richardson, of Chester. 

Sarah, b. 2 Jan., 1760; ni. Moses Morse; d. 16 July, 1837. 

Hannah, b. 9 May, 1761 ; m. Daniel Burbank. 

Priscilla, h. 2 May, 1763 ; m. Abraham Sweat. 

Thomas, b. 1 Nov., 1764; m. Lois Baker. 

Lydia, b. 25 Aug., 1766; m. Jonathan Ball. 

Enoch, b. 31 INlarch, 1770; m., 1st, Betsey Bartlett; 2d, Judith 

Adams. 
Pearson, b. 8 Oct., 1772; ni. Martha Sweat. 
Jeremiah, b. 29 Dec, 1774; m. Rebekah Corser. 
Timothy, b. 2 Dec, 1776; m. Dorothy Hunt. 
Jonathan, b 17 Sept., 1778; ra. Susan Vale. 
Polly, m. David Wilharas. 



GENEALOGICAL ELLIOT. 623 

ELLIOT. 

Compiled by John Kimball. 

Joseph^ moved from Newtou to the " Borough/' in Concord, 19 
Feb., 1778. He m. Lydia Goodwin, M'ho was b. in 
Newton, 30 Jan., 1753, and d. 6 June, 1856 [see His- 
tory of Concord, p. 651]. On the one hundredth an- 
niversary of her birth, interesting services were held at 
the house of her son, David Elliot. She was m. in 1773. 

Salli/, m. Hezekiah Hiitcliins, Rumford, Me. 

Poll//, m. Leonard Whitney. 

Dacifl, m.Mehitable Farnum; resided at the "Borough," in Con- 
cord. 

Joseph, m. Dorcas Farniuu. 

Frederic, m. Nancy Colby. 

Jacob. 

Samuel, m. Emma Sargent, Kumford. 

Benjamin, b. 20 April, 1789. 

Judith, ni. David Colby, Rumford. 

Eleanor, m. Jacob Lufkin, Rumford. 

Lydia, m. Nathaniel Simpson, Concord. 
Benjamin^ (Joseph^), born at the "Borough," in Concord; 
m. Judith Colljy, whose father lived on Dagody hill. 
They settled first in Concord, and afterwards at the 
bend of the Contoocook river, in B., near the resi- 
dence of Calvin Gage ; d. July, 1865. His wife, b. 
April, 1794, d. Sept., 1842. 

Rlwda, b. 22 Sept., 1813; m. Enos Hntchins. 

Parney,h. 20 Aug., 1815; m., 1st, Chase Fowler; 2d, Alplieus 
Clough. 

Joseph, b. 23 Sept.. 1817; m. Phebe Hutchins ; d. 22 Feb., 1853. 

Sarah, b. 5 July, 1819 ; lives in Oregon. 

Benjamin, b. 8 June, 1821; m. Mary Putney; d. Aug., 1868. 

Phebe J., b. 6 June, 1823 ; m. Samuel K. Blanchard. 

Dorcas C, b. 28 Aug., 1825 ; m. Cyrus F. Fletcher, of West Con- 
cord. 

Freeman. b.l9 Sept., 1827. 

Lucy, b. 8 Sept., 1829 ; d. 8 May, 1831. 

Alfred, b. 5 Sept., 1832. 
Jonathan^ (another family) m. Naomi Swett. 

Moses. 

Lois, resided in the house now occupied by Luther Gage ; m. 
Enoch Gerald. 

MosES^ (Jonathan^), b. at Newton ; grad. at Dart, college 1808 ; 
m. Sarah Parsons, of Newbury, Mass.; was at one 
time settled as a Congregational minister in Beading, 
Vt. ; resided on Queen street (South) ; d. at Temple- 
ton, Ma.ss., 9 May, 1849. 
Luther C, Milton, Milton, Henry M., Maria, Elijah P., Snphronia 
Moses, Sarah, Jonathan, Mathew P., Richard, Lois. ' 

34 



524 GENEALOGICAL ELLS\YORTH, FARMER. 

ELLSWOETH. 

Samuel m. Paith, dau. of Ezra Ahhot. of Concord [see Abbot], 24 
March, 1829 ; d. 6 Sept., 1872. 
Wlllinm G., h. 14 Feb., 1830 ; d. 8 ]\Iay, 1854. 
Jeremiah L., b. 1:^ March, 1831 ; d. 5 June, 1881. 
Charles J., b. 3 Dec, 1833; m. Henrietta O. Swett. 
John T., b. 10 Feb., 1835; d. 6 Oct., 1867. 
Amanda H., b. 8 Jan., 1846 ; d. S Nov., 1863. 

EAEMER. 

Compiled by Mrs. C. C. Coffin. 

The Earmers of America came from the vicinity of Ansley, 
WarNYicksliire, England, of \Yhich place John Farnner was a sub- 
stantial citizen in 1604. 

JoHN,^ of Anslejr, probably son of the above, married Isabella 
Barbage, of Great Parkinston. He died in Ansley 
in 1669. His widow, Isabella, came to Mass., with 
some of her children, and settled in Billerica. She 
subsequently m. Elder Thomas Wiswall, of Cambridge, 
now Newton. She d. in Billerica, Dec, 1683, very 
aged. 

Edwakd- (John^), b. at Ansley, 1641, came to Mass., 1670-1673 ; 
settled in Billerica ; admitted to town privileges 11 
Jan., 1673. He lived a short time in Woburn ; held 

offices of trust and honor ; m. Mary ; d. in 

Billerica, 27 May, d.727, aged 86. His homestead has 
remained in the family for seven generations. 

Saroh, b. in England; m. her cousin, Thomas Pollard, of Coven- 
try, England, who came to Billerica. She d. 3 May, 1725. 

John, b. 19 Aug., 1071; m. Abigail ; d. 9 Sept., 1736. 

Edward, b. 22 March, 1674; m. Mary Richardson; d. 17 Dec, 
1752. 

il/any, b. 3 Nov., 1675. _^ 

Barberry, b. 26 Jan.. 1677. 

EUzahelh, b. 17 May, 1680; m. "William Green, of Maiden. 

Thomas, b. 8 Jan., 1638; m. Sarah Hunt; d. in Hollis, 1767. 

Oliver^ h. 2 Feb., 1686; m. Abigail Johnson, of Woburn; d. 23 
Feb., 1761, at Billerica. 

Oliver^ (Edward,^ John^), b. 2 Feb., 1686 ; m. Abigail Johnson. 

Abigail, b. 22 Dec, 1717: d. 1718. 

Abigail, h. 14 Jan., 1719 ; m. Jonathan Richardson, of Billerica. 

Mary, b. 26 Aug., 1721 ; m. WiUiam Baldwin, of Billerica; d. Sept., 

1803. 
Sarah, } . i,, -n „ i-oq. S ™- Edward Jewett, Rowley; d. 1819. 
Rebecca, \ ^- -** ^^c, 1< -d, j j^^_ Samuel Rogers, of Billerica ; d. 30 

Aug., 1809. 
Oliver, b. 31 July, 1728. 



'S 












%,. ^^ 



x 




^C^zC 



GENEALOGICAL FARMER. 625 

Isabella, b. 2 March, H^il; m. Benjamin Warren, of Billerica; d. 

28 Feb., 1761. 
Eilward, b. 24 Feb., 1734: m. Sarah Brown ; d. 19 Aug., 1811. 
Jolin^ b. 7 Dec, 1787; m., 1st, Hannah Davig; 2d, Mrs. Sarah 

(Russell) Adams. 

John* (Oliver,^ Edward,^ Jolini), b. 7 Dec, 1737 ; ra., 1st, Hannah 
Davis ; 2d, Mrs. Sarah (Russell) (Bowers) Adams. 
Sarah Russell was directly connected with the Russell 
family, so long prominent in English history, — Lord 
William Russell, beheaded in the tower — a woman of 
rare virtues and character. She was born in Dracut, 

Mass. ; m., 1st., Bowers ; 2d, Adams ; 

3d, John Farmer. Upon the death of her third hus- 
band, she came to B. with her children, John and 
Hannah, to be near her children by her first marriage, 
who had become citizens of B. She lived to the age 
of 95, in possession of all her faculties, with the excep- 
tion of sight, of which she was deprived for more than 
30 years. She d. in Pembroke, March, 1846. 
Children of Hannah : 

Hannah, Rebecca^ Abigail^ Polhj^ John, Lucy. 
Children of Sarah : 

/o/;/i, Col., b. 11 Dec, 1791; m. Sally Gerrish, dau. of Moses Ger- 
rish, of B. ; d. 17 July, ISof). [See Biog. ] 

Hannah, b. 15 Dec, 1794; m. Bliss Corser, of BT; d. 4 Feb., 1852, 
Portage, N. Y. 

JoHN,^ Col. (John,* Oliver,-'' Edward,^ John^), b. 11 Dec, 1791; 
m. Sally Gerrish, 11 Feb., 1819. [See Biog.] 
Moses Gerrish, Prof., b. 9 Feb., 1820; m. Hannah T. Shapleigh ; 

resides in Newport, R. I. [See Biog.J 
Page French, b. 28 June, 1821; d. 27 July, 1822. 
John Page, b. 24 Sept., 1823; m. Martha Locke, Great Falls; re- 
sides in Minn. 
Sallie Russell, b. 30 Aug., 1826; m. Charles C. Coffin: resides in 

Boston. 
Jane Greg, ^ b. 7 June, 1828; ni. Ephraim Little, of Webster; 

> d. 27 June, 1867. 
Jeremiah Otis, ) b. 7 June, 1S28; d. 6 Dec, 1828. 

Moses Gerrish« (John,^ Col, John,* Oliver, "), b. 9 Feb., 1820 ; 
m. Hannah T. Shapleigh, of l^lliot. Me. [See Biog.] 

Sarah Jane, b. 22 July, 1847. 

Clarence, b. 26 May, 1860; d. 27 May, 1860. 
J OHN Page« (John,5 Col., John," Oliver^), b. 24 Sept., 1823 ; m. 
Martha Locke, Great Falls. 

John Quincg, b. 23 Feb., 1848 ; d. 8 May, 18.57. 

Martha Jane, b. 17 June, 1851; d. 10 March 1857. 

Mary White, h. 22 March, 1853. 

Charles Russell, b. 11 March, 1855. 



526 GENEALOGICAL — FELLOWS. 



FELLOWS. 

Tlie Eellows familj^ of Boscawen and Salisbury are descend- 
ants of 

JoHN,-^ of Kingston. 

MosES'^ was born in Kingston, 9 Aug., 1755; settled in Salis- 
bury ; m. Sarah, daii. of Reuben Stevens, of Plais- 
tow ; d. 1846. 

Hezekiah, b. 22 Dec, 1782 ; d. 1783. 

Hezekiah, b. 18 June, 1784; m. Pamelia F. Senter. [See Biog.] 

Moses, h. 26 Jan., 1786; m., 1st, Miriam Bean; 2d, Meliitable 
Eastman, of Salisbury ; 3d, Lucia J]astman, sister of Me- 
hitable; d. in Salisbury, 20 March, 1804. [See Biog.] 

Reuben, b. 12 Oct., 1789. 

Ebenezer, b. 21 June, 1790; m. Elizabeth Carr; d. 21 Jan., 1867. 

James Senter, b. 7 Nov., 1791. 

Sarah, h. 4 Dec, 1793. 

Samuel, b. 28 Nov., 1795 ; m. Betsey D. Williams; lives in N. Y. 

Elizabeth, b. 14 Sept., 17.97. 

Polly, b. 8 Feb., 180i) ; d. Feb.. 1803. 

Meele, b. 3 April, 1802 ; d. 20 Oct., 18.53. 

Adonijah, b. 17 Marcli, 1804. 

Pierce, b. 3 July, 1S'J7 ; d. April, 1862. 

Hezkkiah'^ (Moses^), b. 18 June, 1784 ; m. Pamela F. Senter. 

Salome, b. 26 July, 1807; d. 23 Jan., 1823. 

A sou. b. 11 July, 1809 ; d. 30 Sept., 1809. 

Catharine, b. 30 Sept., 1810; d. 8 March, 1813. 

Ebenezer Senter, b. 1813 ; d. 21 Oct., 1829. 

John,h.7 Oct., 1815; grad. Dart, coll., 1841; studied medicine; 
practitioner at Loudon; m. Leonora Ilosmer, of B.; d. at 
Concord, 1873. 

3foses, h. 11 March, 1818; d. 14 July, 1819. 

Catharine Ann, b. 6 May, 1820; m. Horace Gleason, of Boston, 23 
Feb., 1837. 

Lucy Senter, b. 27 May, 1822; d. 4 Oct., 1846. 

George Riley, b. 19 April, 1824; ni. Fanny B. Wheeler, of Nash- 
ua; enlisted in Co. A, 8th N. H. Reg't ; d. at Carrollton, 
La., 13 Dec, 1862. 

Salome, b. 25 Aug., 1827; m. D. A. Macurdy. 

MosES^ (Moses,^ John^),b. 20 Jan., 1786; ni., 1st, Miriam Bean; 
2d, Meliitable Eastman; 3d, Lucia Eastman. 

Children of Meliitable : 

Miriam, m. Hiram Gage. 

Caroline, m. Fry W. Gile, of Littleton; lives in Kansas. 
Charles W., m. Piebecca Eastman, of Salisbury; merchant in Bos- 
ton. 



GENEALOGICAL FITZGERALD, FLANDERS. 527 



FITZGERALD. 

Edward [see Eirst Settlors], b. in Ireland ; m. MeliitaWe Uran, 
sister of John Uran. 

Jane, b. 12 Jan., 1742; m. Asa Corser [see Corserl. 

Mary, b. 24 Jan., 1744. 

Sarah, b. 14 Feb., 1746; m. Samuel Corser; d. 1 Jan., 1808. 

i"?'^' ; I b. 10 Aug., 1748; I ^- ''%f''''^\f Ticonderoaa. 
Kehekah, \ * ' ' ( m. Oliver Plovt; moved to Concord. 

Edward, b. 24 Oct., 1751; m. Corser; d. 21 jSTov., 1817. 

Susanna, b. Oct., 1753. 

Dorcas, b. 15 Ma}', 1756; m. David Carter; d. 13 Feb., 1846. 

Rachel, b. 9 July, 1758; m. Samuel Morse; d. 7 Feb., 1837. 

John, b. 10 July, 1761. 

Martha, b. 10 June, 1766; m. James Corser; d. 16 Feb., 1828. 

FLANDEES. 

Stephen/ the only emigrant of the name, so far as is known, 
came to Salislnuy, IMass., with his wife Jane, between 
1640 and 1640, and was one of the first settlers of that 
town. He d. 21 June, 16S4. 

Stephen, b. 8 March, 1646; m. Abigail Carter; d. July, 1744. 
]\Iary. 

Philip, b. 14 June, 1652. 
Sarah. 

Naomi, m. Joseph Eastman. 

John, b. 11 Feb., 1659; m. Elizabeth Sargent; d. at South Hamp- 
ton, 1745. 

John- (Stephen^), b. 11 Feb., 1659; m. Elizabeth Sargent. 

Jacob, h. 5 Aug., 1689; m. Mercy Clough; John, Ezekiel, Josiah, 
Philip, Jonathan, Tamson, Hannah. 

Jacob^ (John,2 Stephen^). An early settler of B. One of the 
committee to build the log meeting-house, 1738. He 
came from South Hampton ; m. Mercy Clough. 

Tahitha, b. 7 April, 1711; m. Andrew Bohonon. 

Jacob, b. 5 Aug., 1715; in. Naomi Darling; lived on Fish st. 

Jesse, Dea., m. Rath Webster, of SaUsbury. 

Ezekiel, m. Sarah Bishop. 

John, m. Eunice Jaciiman. 

Philip, killed at Crown Point [see Military Historj'], 

Betsey, m. Daniel Rolfe. 

Ruth, m. John Elliot. 

Hannah, m. John Knowlton. 

JSIehitable. 

Jacob* (Jacob,^ John," Steplien^) m. Naomi Darling. 
Mercy, b. 17 May, 1745. 
Joseph, b. 27 July, 1753. 



528 GENEALOGICAL — FLANDERS. 



Mary^ b. 13 May, 1755; m. Elkannah Danforth, 
O/tesi/phorus, b. 20 Dec, 17G1 ; m. Sarah Foster. 

Jesse* (Jacob,^ John,- Stephen^), Jeacon of B. church ; soldier at 
Bunker Hill, Canada, &c. [See Military History.] 
Married lluth Webster, of Salisbury ; resided in house 
owned by F. P. Atkinson. 

Moses, h. 20 Jan., 1749; d. young. 

Hannah, b. 17 May, 1754; m. Aaron Flanders; d. 13 Dec, 1844. 

Jesse, h. 13 Aug., 1755 ; m. Elenor INIorey. 

David, Csipt., b. 19 Jan., 1758; m. Hannah Kimball; d. 31 Dec, 
184'2. He was in battle of Banker Hill ; lived on Water 
St., at corner of road leading to Great Pond, near Bradley 
Atkinson's residence ; d. in Franklin. 

Sarah, b. 21 Feb., 1760; d. young. 

Mercy, b. 28 March. 1702. 

il/o.se.s, b. 2 June, 1767; m. Hannah Clark. 

Sarah, b. 12 Oct., 1769 ; m. Charles Collins. 

EzEKiEL'* (Jacob,^ John,^ Stephen^) m. Sarah Bishop ; lived at 
corner below South school-house, on Water st. ; killed 
by the Indians while hunting beaver at Newfound 
lake, 1756. 

Ezekiel, b. 1743; ni. Jerusha Goodwin; d. 1 Jnue. 1825. 
Enos, b. 8 Feb., 1745; lu. Sarah Laugley, of Durham. 
Sarah, b. 2 Dec, 1747. 
Susannah, h. 2 Nov., 1740. 

Aphia, b. 3 March, 1752 ; m. Colby. 

Jemima, b. 9 April, 1754; m. Simeon Danforth; d. 15 May, 1812. 
Benjamin, b. 8 Aug., 1856; lost at sea. 

John* (Jacob,^ John,^ Stephen^) m. Eunice Jackman ; lived 
where his grandson Jacob now lives, near corner of 
road leading to east end of Great Pond. 

Aaron, b. 5 Aug., 1750; m. Hannah Fhinders. 

/o/i/i, Lieut., b. 13 Oct., 1752; m. Elizabeth, widow of John Ste- 
vens, dan. of George Jackman, E.sq. ; served iu Revolution. 
[See Biog.] 

Betty, b. 13 June, 1755; m. Nicholas Elliot. 

Daniel, b. 18 June, 1758; d. young. 

Lois, b. 16 Feb., 1760; m. Joseph Kuowlton. 

Daniel, b. 16 Sept., 1762; m. Greeley. 

Jyunice, h. 9 Jul3% 1765; m. Peter Bean. 

Jacob, b. 11 April, 1768 ; m. Margaret Rogers. 

Jackman, b. 9 Aug., 1773. 

Joseph, m. Relief Brown. 

Patience. 

EzEKiEi/ (Ezekiel,* Jacob,^ John,- Stephen^), b. 1743; m. Jerusha 
Goodwin, of Concord ; built house on town poor-farm, 
Water st. 



GENEALOGICAL — FLANDERS. 



529 



Manj, b. 20 N'ov., 1766; in. Samuel Robie. 

Sarah, b. 13 Feb., 1768; m. Samuel Hemphill. 

Martha, b. 23 Sept., 1769; m. Joseph llule. 

Susannah, h. 6 Aug., 1771; m. Thomas Austin, 

Anna, b. 3 June, 1774; m. Eliphalet Holmes. 

Ezel-lel. 

Li/c/ia, b. 20 June, 1777; m. Jeremiah Webber. 

Israel, b. 13 Nov., 1780; m. Sally Carr. 

Benjamin, b. 19 Aug., 1782; m. Polly, dau. of Eliakim Walker. 

Enos^ (Ezeldel," Jacob,^ John,^ Stephen^), b. 8 Feb., 1745 ; m. 
Sarah Langley, of Durham ; moved to Vershire, \t. 

Enos. h. 17 July, 1770. 

Samuel, b. 7 Feb., 1773. 

John, b. 11 Aug., 1777 ; m. Polly Brewer. 

Betsei/, b. 20 Dec, 1778. 

Benjamin, m. Sarah Funnell. 

Aarox^ (.John,* Jacob,^ Johu,'-^ Stephen^), b. 5 Aug., 1750 ; m. 

liannali Fhxnders ; lived at corner of Water st., lower 

end ; d. 13 Feb., 1846. 
Aaron, b. 15 July, 1773; m. Betsey Fellows, of Dorchester; d. in 

Hudson, N. Y. 
Hannah, b. 3 Jan., 1775 ; m. Phineas Flanders; d. 13 June, 1856, 
Mehitahle, b. 11 Jan., 1776 ; d. April, 1867, 
Sophia, b. 25 June, 1778 ; d. 5 Oct., 1799. 
Jesse, b. 18 July, 1779 ; m. Lydia Quimby, of Springfield ; d. 20 

Sept., 1850. 
John, b. 13 .Jan., 1781 ; m. Hannah Haines, of Dorchester; d. at St. 

Albans. 
Drusilla, b. 18 Feb., 1782 ; m. Eleazar Burbank, of St. Albans. 
Moses, b. 24 Sept., 1783 ; m. Eunice Flifnders; d. at Ypsilauti, Mich. 
Jacob, b. 18 .Jan., 1785; m. Betsey Colt; d. at Cambria, N. Y. 
Ruth, b. 10 July, 1786; d. 1799. 

Webster, b. 25 May, 1788; m. Olive Foster; d. at St. Albans. 
Rebecca, b. 12 Sept., 1790 ; m. John Hart ; d. at Pomfret, Yt, 
Charlotte, b. 31 March, 1792. 

Apphia Coffin, 7 Nov., 1793; m. Samuel C. Flanders; d. 1846. 
Zilphia, ' K lOMnreh 1705- ^ "'• Joseph Burpee; d. 1807. 
Experience, \ ^- "^^ ^^^^"^"^^^^ "^^ ^^' | m, Sam'l Sanborn, of Dorchester. 

Samuel C.^ (Johnj^Phineas-*), b. 28 Feb., 1793 ; m. Anna C, dau. 
of Aaron Flanders ; d. 1866. 
Guy C, b. 1 Jan. 1818; d. 1837. 
Plumn Ann, b. 25 May, 1819 ; d. 3 Nov., 1841. 
Elizabeth J., b. 11 Dec, 1820; m. Phineas Flanders; resides in 

Webster. 
Hannibal W., b. 21 April, 1822; m. Ann Regan; resides in B, 
Joh7i S., d. in infancy. 
John S., b. 2 Sejjt., 1826; d, at Tiffin, O. 
Louisa M., b. 2 Aug., 1828; d. Aug., 1841. 

Samuel S., h. 25 Feb., 1830; m. Rebecca Regan ; d, at Clyde, O. 
Lucien G., b. 8 Dec, 1834; d. 25 Dec, 1841. 



530 GENEALOGICAL FLANDERS. 

JoHx/ Lieut. fJolm/ Jacob^), b. 13 Oct., 1752 ; soldier of Eevo- 
lution [see Military History] ; m. Elizabeth, widow of 
John Stevens ; d. 1 April, 1827. 

John S., b. 15 Nov., 1781. 

George /., b. 10 Aug., 1783; m., 1st, Polly Call ; 2(1, Cyuthia Ash- 
ley, of Owego, N. Y. 
Phineas, b. 5 Jane, 1789; in. Charlotte, dan. of Aaron Flanders. 
Elizabeth, b. 18 May, 1791 ; m. Samnel B. Bailey. 
Samuel C, b. 28 Feb., 1793; m. Anna C.,dau. of Aaron Flanders. 
Philip, h. 29 Feb., 1797. 
Gw/ C, b. 18 March, 1798 ; d. at sea. 
Joseph, b. 27 July, 18"0. 
Eunice, b. 26 Sept., 1802; m. Moses Flanders. 

Phineas'' (John,^ Lieut.) m. Charlotte Flanders. 
Charlotle,h. 17 June, 1815. 
MehitaUe, b. 6 May, 1816. 
PhineUe,h. 1818; d. young. 

Phineus, b. 1 July, 1820; m. Elizabeth J., dau. of Samuel C. Flan- 
ders. 
Laoote, b. 21 April, 1822 ; d. young. 

Phi>sEAs" (Phineas'') m. Elizabeth J. Flanders ; resides in Weh- 
ster. 
LiicienP.,h. 17 Sept., 1851. 
Lottie A.,h. 16 Oct., 1856. 
Louisa J., h. 18 Jan., 1861. 

Hanxibal W.^ (Samuel C.,'^ John,^ Lieut.), b. 21 April, 1822 ; 
m. Ann Ryan. 
LeanderR.. h. 31 An?., 1857. 
Ann M.,h. 4: Feb., 18-55. 
Edgar H., b. Oct., 1864. 

Samuel S.' (Samuel C.,« John,^ Lieut.), b. 25 Feb., 1830 ; m. 
Rebecca Regan ; d. in Clyde, O. 
Emma J., b. 22 June, 1854. 
John S., h. 1 Jan., 1856. 
Thomas J., b. 2 Sept., 1857. 
George S. 
Oliver H. 
Mattie A. 

Jacob^ (Jolm,^ JacoF), b. 11 April, 1768 ; m. Margaret Rogers; 
lived in house now the residence of Jacob C. 
Samuel R., m. Margaret Burnhani, of Bow. 
Jacob C, m. Louisa, dau. of David Jackmau. 

Samuel R.*' (Jacob^) m. Margaret Burnham. 

Margaret, Jacob, Samuel. 
Jacob C.*^ (Jacob'^j ra. Louisa Jackman. 

David, who enlisted in the U. S. service, supposed to have been 
killed in battle. 



GENEALOGICAL — FOWLER. 



531 



FOWLER. 

Samuel,^ lb. probably in Newbury ; m. Abigail . 

Sarah, b. 3 Jan., 1726; m. John Hale. 

Olive, h. 23 Sept., 1728. 

Lemuel, b 28 Oct., 1730; d. 8 Ansj., 1730. 

Samuel.} , ,0 ^.f 17-0. S '!• - F«b., 1733. 

Abigail, \ ^- ^-^ ^'^■■' ^J'^-' \ d. 12 Aug., 1730. 

Samuel, b. 13 Sept., 1734. 

Lemuel h. 4 Sept., 1730. 

Anna, b. 2 Marcli, 1739; m. Samuel Jackman. 

Lucy, in. Ephraini Woodbury. 

Lemuel'^ (Samuel^), b. 4 Sept., 1736'; m. Mary ; lived 

near Beaver Dam brook. 
Sa7miel, b. 9 Feb., 1758. 
Antia. b. 20 Nov., 1759. 
Molii/,h. 24 Nov., 1701. 
Royal, b. 9 July, 1763. 
Nathaniel, b. 23 July, 1765. 
Elizabeth, b. 11 Jan., 1768. 
Abif/ail, b. 22 Dec, 1771. 
Olive, h. 21 Sept., 1773." 
Lemuel, b. 18 Oct., 1770. 
Samuel, b. 21 Oct., 178U; m. Eunice, dan. of Eliphalet Kilhurn, of B. 

Samuel,^ (Lemuel,- Samuel^), b. 21 Sept., 1780; ra. Eunice Kil- 
buru, of B. ; lived on Corser liill. 
Cejiha.^, b. 7 Feb., 1702. 
Rufus, b. 20 Feb., 1804. 
Mary, in. Jedediah Danforth. 

Eunice, b. 27 Aug., 1808; m. Wm. T. Pillsbnry, of B. 
Stanton P., b. 30 April, 181 1 ; m. Jane Hallock. 
Sarah K., b. 20 June, 1814; m. James Howe. 
Harriet, b. 10 Feb., 1817; m. Aaron Brown. 
Nathaniel, b. 12 March, 1819. 
Elizabeth^ b. 2 Aug., 1824; m. Nicholas Sheik. 

Lemuel^ (Lemuel/^ SamueP), b. 18 Oct., 1796. 

Royal, b. 23 June, 1798. 
Samuel, b. 20 May, 1801. 
Benjamin, h. 16 July, 1805. 
Milbury, b. 15 Oct., 1807. 
Oily, b. 13 Oct., 1809. 
Lemuel, b. 24 June, 1815. 

Sta^^tois" Peektice* (SanuieP), b. 30 'April, 1811 ; m. Jane N. 
Hallock. 
Stanton P., b. 20 Aug., 1850; d. Jan., 1859. 
Charles Augustus, b. 16 Feb., 1848. 
Cephas, lives in Fisherville. 



532 GENEALOGICAL FRENCH. 

John, b. 2 Dec, 1772; an early settler in B., cousin j)robably 
of Lemuel. He built a house on Queen st. His sec- 
ond wife was Mrs. Anna (Ellison) Eamford. 

Samuel came from ISTewbury, probably the first lawyer and tav- 
ern-keeper in B. His second wife was Mrs. Carter, 
Avidow of Dr. Ezra Carter, of Concord, whose two 
daughters married Nathaniel Green, Esq., and Dr. 
Daniel Peterson. He was a prominent and influen- 
tial citizen. 

FEENCH. 

Compiled by Alfred Little. 

JoEL,i |j_ .^t Tewksbury, Mass., 24 May, 1779 ; d. 27 Se])t., 1826 ; 
was merchant in B., 1801 to 1811, and town-clerk, 
1807 to 1809. He, in connection with William G. 
Emerson, and Col. Joseph and X. Peabody Atkinson, 
set out the elm trees now standing on west side of the 
street, between his house (now owned by Mrs. Daniel 
Y. Bickford) and the Ambrose hotel. He m. Susan- 
nah, dau. of Col. Henry and Martlia (Clough) Ger- 
rish, of B., 29 March, 1804. ■ She d. at K"ashua, 2 Jan., 
1867. 

John S. .1., b. 1.5 Feb., 1805; d. 26 Jnlv, 1871, in Nashua. 

Henry S. G., b. 27 April, 1807; d. 14 Feb., 1842, in Bangkok, 
Siam. 

Enoch C. G., b. 25 June, 1809. Followed the sea. First voyage 
was on a wlialing vessel cruising in the Southern ocean. 
lie d. 20 May, 1827, on a return voyage from Rotterdam, 
while sailing through the English channel, and was buried 
at sea off Portsmouth, England. 

Imac S. P., b. 27 Sept., 18U. 

Martha G., b. 12 Dec, 1814; d. 30 Dec., 1877, in Nashua. 

Samuel W. Z., b. 28 July, 1817. 

Stephen L. G., h. 11 Nov., 1821; deacon of 1st Congregational 
church, Nashua. 

John S. A."^ (JoeP) removed from B. to Nashua ; m. Mary K. 
Everdean, of Gloucester, Mass, 18 Feb., 1836. 

Helen IF., b. at B. 2 Feb., 1838; ni. John C. Cochran, New Bos- 
ton, 18 May, 1861; resided at St. Louis, Mo. She d. at 
Nashua. 

John A., b. at B., 28 March, 18-10; m. Emily W. Leavitt, of Flush- 
ing, N. Y., 14 Sept., 1870. He grad. at Williams college, 
1862 ; licensed^o preach by tlie Presbytery of Brooklyn, 
N. Y., 1866; settled in Morristown, N. J., 1868; settled 
over the 4th Presbyterian church in Chicago, April, 1877. 

Joseph H., b. at B., 19 Oct., 1812. 

Man/ F., h. at Nashua, 2 March, 1849. 

Frederic S., h. at Nashua, 8 July, 1854. 



GENEALOGICAL — FRENCH. 



633 



Henry S. G.,' Eev. (JoeP), was ordained at C<;mcord for the for- 
eign missionary service, 19 Sept., 1838 ; m. Sarah C. 
Allison, of Concord, 9 April, 1839. They sailed as mis- 
sionaries for Siam, 8 July following; arrived at Singa- 
pore in Oct., where he remained six months. During 
this time he was engaged in the study of the Siamese 
language, and in type-cutting. He reached Bangkok 
in May, 1840, and became superintendent of the Mis- 
sion })rinting department. [See Biog.] 
Henry A., h. Bangkok, Siain, 10 May, 18-il; learned the printers' 
trade at Concord; now editor and proprietor of the Colo- 
rado Sun, published at Greeley, Col. 

Isaac S. P.- (Joel^) resides in Lynn, Mass. ; m. Lucinda Brazer, 
of Charlestown, Mass., 28 Nov., 1838. 
Rlartlia ./., b. at Charlestown, 16 Jan., 1842. 
Henry IF., b. at Charlestown, 21 Dec, 1843. 

Henry W.^ (Isaac S. P.,'^ JoeP) resides in Lynn, INIass. ; m. Mary 
E. Eichardson, of Lynn, 20 Sept., 1871. 
Mary P.. h. 14 July, 1872. 
Grace P.,h. 25 Nov., 1876. 

FRENCH. 

Compiled by Joliu Kiuiball. 

James^ moved from Rindge to B. in 1809 ; settled on Fish st. ; 

m., 1st, Cassell, of Rindge ; 2d, Olive Sawyer, 

of Canterbury ; d. 1 Sept , 1822. 

Children of Olive : 
Francis S., b. 31 May, 1810; m. Asenath Sawyer; d. 4 April, 1870. 
Olive, b. 1 Feb., 1812; m. Stewart Noyes, Canterbury. 
Asa M., b. 3 Oct., 1814; d. 8 Feb., 1819. 

Francis S." (James^), h. 31 May, L870. A citizen prominent in 
public affairs. [See Biog.] 

Anna M.. b. 2 May, 1839; grad. at xMerideu academy, 1857; m. D. 
M. Tenney. of Groton, 1872. 

Emma, b. 6 May, 1814: d. 19 Aug., 1845. 

James F., b. 14 Jau., 1848; ra. Sarah E. Vnggin, 1875. 

Asa M., b. 14 March, 1850; grad. Dart. College, 1872 ; a civd en- 
gineer, Texas. 

Willie A., b. 6 Dec, 1854; drowned in Merrimack river, 17 July, 
1870. 



534 GENEALOGICAL GAGE, 

GAGE. 

Compiled by Isaac K. Gage. 

The Boscawen branch of the Gage family is descended from 

THADDEUSj'^whose two sons, E-ichard and William, settled in B. 

KiCHAKD- (Thaddeus^), b. in Methuen, Mass., 11 Dec, 1776; m. 
Susannah, dan. of Capt. John Chandler, 6 Feb., 1805. 
He moved into B. previous to 1804 ; settled near the 
lower falls on the Contoocook, and subsequently in 
company with his brother acquired a large landed es- 
tate, including water T)rivileges and mills, and carried 
on the lumbering business, which has been continued 
by his sons. He represented the town in the legisla- 
ture in 1838, '39. Died 18 May, 1855. 

Hh-nm, b. 1 Dec, 1807: d. IS May, 181.5. 

Luther, b. 19 Aug., 1800; d. 27 Nov., 1813. 

Calvin, b. 17 Nov., 1811. 

John Chandler, \). 11 April, 1811. 

Hiram, b. 2.5 July, 1816. 

Lnlher, b. 5 June, 1820. 

Manj Magoon, h. 11 Aug., 1822; m. Nehemiah Butler, 15 jSTov., 
1849. 

Infant, b. and d. July, 1824. 

B. FranUin. b. 7 Nov., 1827. 

Richard, h. 13 Sept., 1831. 

Calvin^ (Richard," Thaddeus^) m., 1st, Eebecca, dau. of Isaac 
Pearson, 21 Sept., 1835. She was b. 12 Nov., 1815 ; 
d. 22 July, 1835. Two children. Married, 2d, Eliza- 
beth E., dau. of Isaac Ej-an, of Plymouth, 29 April, 
1846. She was b. 4 July, 1818. Ten children. He 
has lield nearly all of the offices of trust in town ; 
member of the legislature in 1849, '50. In company 
with his brother, John C, he carried on an extensive 
business in the manufacture and sale of lumber, near 
the waterfalls of the Contoocook, a business estab- 
lished by their father and uncle. 

Hannah Pearson, b. 13 June, 1836 ; d. 6 July, 1852. 

Martha A., b. 10 May, 1840; d. 19 July, 1846. 

George W., b. 30 Jan., 1847; d. 8 April, 18,54. 

Rebecca P., b. 2 May, 1848; m. George D. B. Prescott, of Con- 
cord, 12 Oct., 1871. Que cliild, Dana G., b. 27 Oct., 1S74. 

Annie D.,h. 18 Feb., 1850. 

Harley C, b. 24 Oct., 1851. 

Hannah P., b. 5 Sept.. 1863. 

Mary H.,h. 8 May, 18.56. 

NeAtie A.,h.2\ April. 18.58. 

John F., b. 3 Mav, I860. 

Georqe M., b. 23 Dec, 18G3. 

Sjncer R., b. 21 Oct., 1866. 



GENEALOGICAL — GAGE. 535 

John Chan^dler^ (Richard,^ Thaddeus^) m., 1st, Elizabeth S., 
dau. of Samuel Sargent, of Canterbury, 29 Nov., 1843. 
She was b. 21 March, 1821, d. 26 Feb., 1853. Three 
children. Married, 2d, Hannah C, dau. of Andrew 
Stevens, of Loudon, 27 Dec, 1853. Four children. 
He has frequently been called to fill places of trust in 
town, and represented it in the legislatures of 1853 
and '54. 

Martlia A., b. IS July, 1816 ; m. Geo. Gleason. 

Dan W., h. 20 Sept., 18o0 ; d. 24 May, 1857. 

Fred V., b. 14 Feb., 1853 ; d. 11 Oct., 1860. 

Lizzie M., b. 29 Nov., 1855. 

Mabel C, b. 28 July, 18-58. 

Arthur A., h. 27 July, 1862. 

Kate L., b. 10 Sept., 1865; d. 16 July, 1868. 

HiRAM^ (Richard,^ Thaddeus^) m. Miriam, dau. of Moses Fellows, 
26 Jan., 1843. His wife was b. 16 March, 1819, d. 
11 Oct , 1875. They reside in Clinton, Iowa. 

Susa7i J/.,b. 14 April, 1844; m. 1st, John Wayne, of Kansas, 1869; 
2d, M. E. S. Storer. of Kansas, Oct., 1873. 

William H. H., b. 27 June, 1845; served in armv. 

Charles F., b. 3 Nov., 1846 ; d. 20 Oct., 1818. 

Caroline A., h. 7 Sept., 1848; m. G. R. Cole, of Kansa.s. 

Lucia E., b. 21 Sept., 1850; d. 11 Nov., 1860. 

Charles F., h. 21 Marcli, 1855; d. 21 Oct., 1860. 

Jesse £., b. 6 Feb., 18.57. 

Hiram, h. 3 June, 1860; d. 19 Oct., 1865. 

Luther^ (Richard,"^ Thaddeus^) m., 1st, Sarah J., dau. of Philip 
Cross, of Northfield. She was b. 1 May, 1824, d. 18 
Sept., 1857. Four children. Married, 2d, Priscilla, 
dau. of Ephraim Plummer, 2 March, 1859. One 
child. He was at one time engaged in trade at 
the south part of the town, where he now resides. He 
has held the office of selectman and town treasurer, 
and was member of the legislature in 1861, '62. 

Edwin il/., b. 18 Oct., 1847 ; d. 12 Nov., 1848. 

Sarah P., b. 11 Oct., 1819. 

Nathan S. M., b. 2 Oct., 1852. 

Luther C, b. 4 Aug., 1856. 

Maurice P., b. 2 May, 1863 ; d. 27 Sept., 1863. 

B. Fraxklin^ (Richard'^) m. Amanda, dau. of Bickford Lang, of 
Pembroke, 8 Oct., 1854. She d. 8 Oct., 1867. 
Lizzie Eudora, b. 20 July, 1855. 
Madella J., b. 20 April, 1859. 

Richard^ (Richard"^), m. Nancy, dau. of Daniel Mansfield ; d. 
6 Oct., 1876. His wife, b. 13 May, 1831 ; d. 17 July, 
1866. 



536 GENEALOGICAL GAGE. 

Edward Everelf, b. 28 June, 1852. 

Julia IF., b. 16 July, 1854; m. Oscar F. Smith. 

George //., b. 7 Nov., 1856. 

Thaddem 0., h. 1 Aus., 1858. 

AddkonF., b. May, 1800. 

Herbert C, b. 25 Aug., 1862. 
William Haseltiis-e''^ (Thaddeus^), h. in Sanbornton, 21 March, 
1791; moved to B., 1804; m., 1st, Polly, dau. of 
Bradbury Morrison, of Sanbornton ; 2d, Sarah, dan. of 
Samuel Sargent, of Canterbury. [See Biog.] 
Cliildren of Polly : 

Sophronia S., h. 21 Jan., 1815; m. John O. Russ, Nov., 1835; d. 23 
May, 1811. 

Elcander Wood, b. 11 July, 1816; drowned in canal near Coutoo- 
cook river, 25 May, 1817. The body was recovered nine 
days later in the jNIerriniack, seven miles distant. 

Isaac Kimball, b. 27 Oct., 1818; m. Susan G., dau. of Reuben 
Johnson. [See Biog.] 

Asa Morrison, b. 8 Aug., 1820; m. Sophia W., dau. of John Cald- 
well, of B. 

Phehe Prescntt, b. 23 Sept., 1822; m. Andrew J. Russ, d. 9 Aug., 
1853. Three children. 

Rosilla Morrison, b. 8 Aug., 1821; d. 28 Oct., 1827. 

Child of Sarah : 
Polly Rosilla, b. 1 Aug., 1838; m. Samuel R. Mann. One child,— 
William H. Gage. 

Isaac K.^ (William H ,^ Thaddeus^) m. Susan G. Johnson. [See 

Biog.] 
Frederick Johnson, b. 42 Sept., 1843; m. Ilattie A. Morse. 
Georgianna Judith, b. 16 Sept., 1848; m. Abial W. Rolfe. Two 

children,— i/«n-^ Gage, b. 5 July, 1872; Herbert Wilson, b. 

14 May, 1875. 
Marij Morrison, b. 28 Dec, 1849 ; m. Milton W. Wilson ; one chdd, 

— Florence Lee, b. 9 Jan., 1877. 
Charlotte Hubbel,h. 13 March, 1852 ; d. 26 June, 1866. 
Lucy Kimball, h. 11 June, 1858. 
Isaac William, b. 1 Sept., 1861. 
Asa M.3 (William B.,^ Thaddeus^) m. Sophia W. Caldwell. 

Frank Henry, b. 20 April, 1804; m. Lucy Ann Smith, of Warsaw, 

Ky. ; lives in Troy, N. Y.; two children, — Edwin Asa, h. 

8 Feb., 1872; Fanny Atkinson, b. 27 Feb., 1874. 
Helen Sophia, b. 13 Oct., 1817; m. Horace H. Danforth; one child, 

—Maud Evelyn, b. 21 Oct., 1870. 
Edwin Asa, b. 5 Aug., 1848; d. 21 Sept., 1871. 
Ida May, b. 8 Nov., 1851. 

Frederick Johnson* (Isaac K,^) m. Ilattie A. Morse ; resides 
in Boston. 
Blanche, b. 24 Nov., 1869. 
Lottie H, b. 22 Feb., 1873. 
Fred Healey, b. 20 Oct., 1874. 



GENEALOGICAL GERRISH, 537 

GEEEISH. 

Compiled by Alfred Little. 

William/ Capt., was b. in Bristol, Somersetshire, England, 20 
Aug., 1617, where he is said to have been educated in 
the mercantile house of Percival Lowle & Co. ; came 
to New England as early as 1639, and settled that 
year in Newbury, Mass. [see Coffin's History of New- 
bury] ; was the first captain of the military band in 
that town, and representative 1650-'54 ; in., 1st, Jo- 
anna, widow of John Oliver, of Newbur}-, IT April, 
1645, who d. 14 June, 1677, aged 58 ; removed to 
Boston, 1678, and there m., 2d, Ann, widow of John 
Manning ; was the owner of No. 3, Long wharf, where 
he carried on business. At the semi-centennial anni- 
versary meeting of the town of Boston, 14 March, 
1686, Capt. Gerrish opened and closed the exercises 
with prayer. He d. at his son Benjamin's house, Sa- 
lem, Mass., 9 Aug., 1687. 

Children of Joanna : 

John, b. 15 May, lOiO; d. 1714; settled at Dover; m. there Eliz- 
abeth, dau. of Maj. R. Waldron ; was a captain, sheriff, 
representative, counsebor, and judge of the supreme court 
of N. H. 

W'dliam, b. 6 June, KUS ; was a physician at Charlestown, Mass.; 
d. there 10 M;iy, 168:3. 

Joseph, b. 23 March, 1640; d. 6 Jan., 1720; ra. Ann, dau. of Maj. 
R. Waldron, Dover; grad. at Harvard college, 1669; was 
minister at VVenham, Mass. 

Benjamin, b. 31 Jan., 16.51 ; was collector of his majesty's customs 
at Salem: d. 2 April, 1713. 

EUzaheth,h. 20 Sept., 16.34; d. 1.9 Nov., 1678; m.^Capt. Stephen 
Greenleaf, of Newbury, Mass., 23 Oct., 1676. 

Moses, b. 9 May, 1656; d. 4 Dec. 1694. 

Manj, b. 1 April, 1658 ; m. Dr. John Dole, of Newbury, Mass., 23 
Oct., 1676. 

Child of Ann : 
Henr;/, b. in Boston, 21 ]March, 1679 ; d. without issue. 

MosES,^ Col. (William,^ Capt.), lived in Newbury, Mass. ; m. 24 
Sept., 1677, Jane, dau. of Rev. Plenry Sewall, and sis- 
ter of Chief Justice Sewall, of Mass. She was b. afc 
Badesly, England, 25 Oct., 1659, and d. 29 Jan., 1717. 

Joanna, b. 3 0ct. , 1678. 

Joseph, b. 20 March, 1682 ; d. Jan., 1765, aged 82 years, 9 months, 

and 20 days. 
Sarah, b. 25 Dec, 'l683. 



638 GENEALOGICAL GERRISH. 

Elizabeth, h. 27 Dec, 1685. 

Mary, b. 28 Oct., 1687. 

John, b. 2 April, 1695; m. Judith Coker. 

Joseph,^ Col (Moses,^ Col., William,^ Capt.), lived in Newbury, 
Mass. ; was member of the colonial legislature 20 
years, and often elected by that body to his majesty's 
council, and as often rejected by the English governor 
"because he was not supjile;" was elected to a seat in 
a provincial congress. Says Rev. Jacob Little, — 
" Col. Joseph Gerrish had such muscular power, that 
he swam the Merrimack river, near its mouth, 
every year till he was past 70. The weight of four 
of his children was 1,200 pounds." He m. Marj^, dau. 
of Moses and Lydia (Coffin) Little, of ISTewbury ; pub- 
lished 26 Feb., 1703, '4. She was b. 13 Jan., 1086. 

3Ioses, b. 15 April, 1706; m. Mary Moody, IS April, 1728; lived 
iu Newbury (Byfield), Mass. 

Joseph, b. 10 Sept., 17US; d. 26 May, 1776; was a colonel; m. 
Catherine Brown, of Reading, Mass. ; settled iu Newbury 
(Bvfield.) 

Stephen, b. 22 Jan., 1711 ; d. 1788, in B. 

Mary, b. 10 Sept., 1714; m. Griggs, of Roxbury, Mass. 

Jane, b. 12 Oct., 1717 ; m. Rev. Phineas Stevens, first minister at 
B., 24 Nov., 1741. 

Elizabeth, b. 5 March, 1720 ; m. Stephen March, of Portsmouth, 14 
June, 1753. 

Sarah, b. 18 July, 1722; was adopted by Judge Samuel Sewall ; m. 
Moses Newell. 

Judith, b. 7 Jan., 1724; m. Col. Thurston, of Bradford, Mass. 

Samuel, b. 8 April, 1728 [?] ; m. Sarah Johnson; lived at West 
Newbury. 

Rebecca, h. 29 Oct., 1732 [?]; m. Joshua March, 1 Jan., 1752; 
lived in West Newbury. 

Three others d. young. 

Stephen,* Capt. (Joseph,^ Col., Moses,^ Col.), b. 22 Jan., 1711, in 
Newbury, Mass. ; d. 1788, in B. [see Biog.] ; was a 
resident of Canterbury at date of his first marriage, 
in 1738, and of " Contoocook" (B.) when m., 2d, in 
1741. [See Newbury Records.] Married, 1st, Mar- 
tha Chase, of Newbury, Mass., 21 July, 1738 ; 2d, Jo- 
anna Hale, 15 July, 1741, who was b. June, 1715, and 
d. about 1792 [see Biog.]. She was dau. of Samuel 
Hale, of Newbury, and sister of Richard Hale, the 
father of Capt. Nathan Hale, the martyr spy, in the 
Avar of American independence. 

Note. The names and birth-dates of the children of Cupt. "\ViUiam,i Col. Moses,^ 
and of the first eight children of Col. .Josepli" Gerrish, have been coiiied for the 
compiler from the early records of Newbury, Mass., by William Little, Escx., town- 
clerk. 



GENEALOGICAL — GERRISH. 539 

Henry, b. 3 May, 1742 ; d. IP May, 1806. 

Jane, b. 20 April, 1745; d. 30 March, 181i ; m. Lieut. Samuel 

Ami'S, of B., who d. 1 Sept., 1825. 
Samue , b. 20 xipril, 1718; d. 10 Nov., 1825. 
Enoch, b. 16 Jan., 1750; d. 1 May, 1821. 
Joseph, b. 17 Sept.; 17-53; d. 21 Nov., 1817. 
Stephen^ b. 1750; d. 24 Aug., 1777. 

Hexky,^* Col. (Stephen,* Capt., Josepli,^ Col.), m. Martha, dau. of 
Jeremiah Clough, of Canterbury, 10 Nov., 1763. She 
was b. 10 Nov., 1742 ; d. 15 Oct., 1826. [See Biog.] 

Jeremiah, b. 8 Aug., 1764; d. 23 April, 1830; in., 1st, Sarah, dau. 
of Joseph Gerrish, of West B., 6 March, 1788; m., 2d, 
Mary, dau. of Nehemiah Cogswell, of B., 20 Nov., 1817 [?], 
who Avas b. 29 Feb., 1784. He was a gunsmith and re- 
pairer of clocks and watches, and made cut-nails (prior to 
1804, it is said) while living in the house now owned by 
Charles D. Glitten, at Webster, cutting them out of hoop- 
iron with large shears driven by horse-power; built the first 
saw-mill at the outlet of Long pond, in Webster; willed 
his homestead to the Congregational society at B. for the 
support of a minister. 

Sarah, b. 3 April 1766 ; d. 21 Aiig. 1839; m. Capt. Joseph Wood, 
of Lebanon, 15 Jan., 1784. He was b. in Mansfield, Ct., 
8 Nov., 1759, and d. 17 Dec, 1859 — a centenarian, aged 
100 years and 39 days; was one of the last surviving sol- 
diers of the Revolution. 

Moses, b. 17 Feb., 1768; d. 24 Nov., 1854. 

Stephen, b. 16 April, 1770; d. 11 Nov.. 1815. 

Henry, b. 29 May, 1772; d. 11 Sept., 1862. 

Hannah, b. 14 Aug., 1774; d. 2.5 June, 1855; m., 1st, Jeremiah 
Carter, of B., 27 May, 1795 ; 2d, Jacob March, of Sauborn- 
ton, 4 April, 1802. 

Martha, h. 14 May, 1777; d. 28 Aug., 1855, at New Buffalo, Mich.; 
m. Jesse Little, of B. 

Jacob, b. 10 Nov., 1779; d. 22 May, 1861. 

Susannah, b. 28 Feb., 1782; d. 2 Jan., 1867, at Nashua; m. Joel 
French, of B., 29 March, 1804. 

Joseph, b. 25 March, 1784; d. 25 May, 1851. 

Thomas, b. 12 Sept., 1786; d. 19 Feb., 1875. 

Note. The "Gerrisli meeting " originated in tlie family of Col. Henry Gerrish, but 
included others of the name. His eleven children (with their families), living at differ- 
ent points between Nashua and Lebanon, were accustomed for many years to meet an- 
nually at their various homes for a family reunion, the last one occurring in 1849. 

*A part of the inscription on his gravestone at B. is incorrect, viz., "Joseph Ger- 
rish, captain of the life-guard of G. R., 1st.'' It shoitld read thus: "William Gerrish, 
first captain of the Military Band at Newbury, Mass ." 



540 GENEALOGICAL GERRISH, 

Samuel^ (Stephen/ Capt., Joseph,^ Col.) settled first on High 
street, B. ; removed in 1776 to Canterhury, his farm 
l3'ing on the IMerrimack river; m. Lucy Noyes, of He- 
bron, Jan., 1773, Avho d. 1818, aged 6G. 

Enoch, b. 1775; m.. 1st, Judith, dau. of Nathan Chandler, of Con- 
cord, who d. at St. Arniand, L. C, 18-2o; '2(\, Martha Fos- 
ter, of Canterbury, who d. at Montre.il, 18;;3. lie was a 
merchant in B.; removed soon after 1820 to St. Arniand, 
where he d. LS56. 

JosepJi, h. 19 IMarch, 1777; d. 31 July, 1839. 

Stephen, h. 1789; d. 1811. 

Enoch,^ Dea. (Stephen,* Capt., Joseph,^ Col), m., 1st, ISIary E., 
dan. of Dea. Isaac Pearson, of B., Feb , 1772 ; she 
was b. 3 Oct , 1753 ; d. May, 1784;— m., 2d, Hannah 
Kilburn, of B., 8 Dec, 1784. who d. 14 Jan., 1792 ; 
3d, Mary, dau. of Joseph Gerrish, of B., 2 July, 1792, 
who d. 3 May, 1829. 
Children of Mary E. : 

Samuel, b. 7 July, 1773; was a physician at Sanbornton ; d. there 
31 Oct., 1809. 

Enoch, b. 30 April, 1775; d. 24 Aug., 1831. 

Stephen, h. 5 March, 1778; d. 1781. 

Sal/u, b. 1 March. 1780; d. 10 March, 1811; m. Rev. Lemuel Bliss, 
of Bradford, 17 Jan., 1806. 

Isaac,}, o- AT 17QO S<i. 22 Aug., 1812. 

Anna, C ''• ~' ^"^•' ^'^^' } d. 22 Sept., 1815; m. Joseph B. Smith, 
of Eaton, L. C, 21 Jan., 1812. 

Children of Hannah : 
Ilanj, b. Oct., 1785; d. 26 March, 1871 ; m. Capt. Ephraim "Wood, 

of Lebanon, 29 Feb., 1816, who was b. 21 Aug., 1787, and 

d. 23 April, 1874. 
Hannah, b. 4 Jan., 1792; d. Jan., 1821; m. Dea. Isaac Pearson, of 

B., 1 June, 1814. 

Joseph,^ Col. (Stephen,* Capt., Joseph,^ Col.), was a prominent 
man, and held various offices in town for many years ; 
was also delegate to convention for adoption of the 
Federal constitution ; m. Mary Bartlett, of Newbury, 
Mass., Oct., 1779, who was b. May, 17()2, and d. 18 
Jan., 1827. 

Judith, h. 12 July, 1780; d. 19 Dec, 1859 ; m. Dea. John Clough, 
of Canterbury, 31 March, 1802. 

Samuel Bartlett, b. 12 Dec, 1782 ; d. 7 Dec, 1866, at Lebanon. 

Mary, b. 17 Oct., 1784; d. Oct., 1825 ; m. Rev. Wm. Patrick, of 
Canterbury, 15. Aug., 1805. 

Sally, b. 19 Aug., 1786; d.''l7 Jan., 1851; m. Rev. Enoch Corser, 
of B., 29 May, 1817. 

Betsey, h. 31 Dec, 1787; d. 11 Oct., 1821; m. Dea. Thomas Ger- 
rish, of B., 19 Sept., 1805. 



GENEALOGICAL — GERRISH. 541 

MosES^ (Henry,5 Col., Stephen,* Capt.) settled in tlie south-western 
j)ai't of B., at "'Bashan,''* named thus by Dea. Enoch 
Little, Sen., from the many oaks which grew there. 
His house has ever been the abode of liospitality. He 
m. Sarah Ilsley, dau. of Enoch Little. 

5«%, b. 26 Oct., 1790; d. 1 Sept., 18(31; ra. Col. John Farmer, of 

B.,11 Feb., 1810. 
Jeremiah, b. 1 Jan., 1791; d. 30 Oct., 1813. 

Stephen," Lieut. (Hemy,^ Col., Stephen,* Capt.), lived on High 
street ; Avas a man of great inventive talent. The at- 
tachment of the screw to the pod-auger, and also the 
first practical auger for boring logs and wooden 
pumps, are said to have been his inventions. With 
his father, he made mill-saws and cranks on a common 
forge. He was one of the first in this state to make 
cut-nails, his nail-mill on High street being on the 
south fork of Stirrup-iron brook ; he also built the 
Gulf bridge, but d. before its completion. He m. 
Hannah, dau. of Lieut. Samuel Ames, of B. She d. 
18 Xov., 1834. 

Salhi.h. -20 July, 1796; d. 11 Jan., 1819; m. Edmund Dearborn, 

of Northfield, 19 June, 1821. 
Jane, b. -20 July, 1798; d. at Elldiorn, Brown Co., III., 22 April, 

18-14; m. Jonathan Dearborn, m. d., Northfield, 14 Oct., 

1823; removed to Elkhorn, 111., March, 1837, where he 

d. 15 March, 1875. 
Martha, b. 14 Sept., 18()0; d. at Elkhorn, 111., 10 Feb., 1868; m. 

Stephen Kendrick, Lebanon, 21 Sept., 1826. 
Sam, b. 2 Nov., 1803; d. 4 Nov., 1845, at Elkhorn, 111. 
Hannah, b. 20 April, 1806; m. Baxter Clough. of Canterbury, 19 

July, 1832; removed to Solon, O.. 1831, and thence to 

North Amherst, 1853, where he d. 30 Nov., 1872. 
SewalU b. 18 March, 1809. 
Harriet, b. 21 March, 1812; d. at Elkhorn, 111., 2 Sept., 1874; m. 

Absalom Gerrish, Northfield, 5 June, 1839. 
Henry, b. 31 July, and d. 2 Aug, 1814. 

Henkt« (Henry,^ Col., Stephen,* Capt.) first settled on High st., 
and afterwards on the homestead at Fish st., B. ; m. 
Mary, dau. of Hon. Abiel Foster, Canterburv, 6 June, 
1796. She was b. 1 Oct., 1774; d. 23 Sept., 1869, 
aged about 95. 

Susanna, b. 15 June, 1797; m. Dr. Thomas Peach, of B., 2 Feb., 

1815; residence in AVest Creek, Ind. 
Infant dau., b. 9 and d. 21 Dec, 1799. 

Jacob, b. 29 Dec, 1801; d. 28 Oct., 1858; m. Maria Ames, Can- 
• terbury, 25 Sept., 1824; removed to New Buffalo, Mich. 

Sept., 1835. ' 

Lucy, b. 30 Sept., 1803 ; m. Ephraim Plumer, of B., 11 Jau 

1821. ■' 



542 GENEALOGICAL GERRISH. 

Abid, h. 7 March, 1806. 

Mary, b. 9 Feb., 1808 ; d. 14 March, 1836 ; m. Jamea Little, of 
B., 15 Dec, 18i'9; removed to New IJuffalo, Mich., 1835. 

EUzahelh, b. 21 July, 1813; d. 7 Nov., 1812; m. Joseph G. Ames, 
Berrien Co., Mich., 4 Sept., 1839. 
Jacob^ (Heiiry,^ Col., Stephen,* Capt.) m. Sarah, dau. of David 
Ames, Canterbury, 15 A})ril, 1803 ; lived on Fish st., 
B. [See Biog.] 

AppJiia, b. 27 April, 1804; m. Rev. Phannel W. Wavrener, Canau- 
dai^ua. N. Y., 28 Sept., 1829. 

MarlJia, b. 26 Nov., 1805; d. 17 April, 18G7; m., 1st. Samuel Cham- 
berlain, Loudon, 24 Oct., 1824, who d. 3 Nov., 18;;8 ; 2d, 
Ruel Walker, Loudon, 20 Nov., 1840, who d. 6 July, 1872, 
aged 80. 

Joseph, b. 22 June, 1807; d. 17 D^^c, 1850, at Fislierville; m. Me- 
hitable Plumer, of 15., 11 Nov., 1830. 

Calvin, b. 31 May, 1809. 

Luther, h. 30 Aug., 1812; d. 1 Mav, 1821. 

David A., b. 6 Feb., 1816. 

Stephen, b. 17 Dec, 1817; d 17 April. 1818. 

.S'ara/t,b. 1 Feb., 1819; m. George AV. Choate, Enfield, 13 Jan., 
1841. 

EtnUi/, h. 6 April, 1821; m. Dea. Enocli Coffin, of B., 20 Oct., 1842; 
resides in Beloit, Wis. 
Joseph^ (Henry,^ Col., Stephen,* Capt.) settled in Northfield about 
1804, his land (now a part of FranHin) lying on Mer- 
rimack river, and opposite Daniel Webster's residence ; 
^Yas an extensive farmer and dealer in real estate ; m. 
Susan Hancock, of North Held, who Avas b. 13 Jnly, 
1791 ; d. 26 Nov., 1849. 

Ahsniom, b. 22 June, 1809. 

Milton, b. 29 Nov., 1811. 

Cynthia A., h. 8 Feb., 1813; m. Jacob K. Moore, of Canterbury, 
Aug., 1835; removed to Griggsville, 111., 1819. 

Abnira S.,h. 13 March, 1815; d. 23 Feb., 1854; m. Charles H. 
Avers, Canterbury, 4 Oct., 1838. 

Louisa, ^.28 Jan., 1817; d. 29 Dec, 1848; m. Dea. Nathan B. 
Stearns, Lebanon, 19 March, 1845. 

Lucien, b. 8 Feb., 1819 ; d. 26 July, 18.59. 

Stephen, b. 29 Nov., 1821. Col. Stephen Gerrish remained on the 
homestead for several years; now resides in Franklin vil- 
lage; m. Mrs. Alice B. Hammond, March, 1855. 

Leonard, b. 11 June, 1823. 

Susan, h. 25 July, 1825; d. 3 Sept., 1869, at Lebanon; m., 27 Jan., 
1852, Luther C. Bean, m. D.,of Fisherville, now practising 
in Chicago. 

Joseph, h. 2 May, 1827: resides in Minn. 

Alfred A., h. 9 July, 1829; physician at Lowell, Ind. • 

Carlos E., b. 17 April, 1831; went by overland route to Cal., 1852. 

Ellen M., b. 19 Oct., 1833; m. Charles IL Ayers, Canterbury, 15 
Oct., 1854. 



GENEALOGICAL GERRISH. 543 

Thomas,^ Dea. (Heniy,^ Col., Stephen," Capt.), lived on' Boscawen 
Plain ; elected deacon of 1st Congregational cliurcli 
in B. ; removed to Webster, March, 1867 ; m., 1st, 
Betsey, dau. of Col. Joseph Gerrish, of B., 19 Sept., 
1805 ; 2d, Elizaheth Patrick, of Weston, Mass., Oct., 
1822, who d. 26 Feb., 1869. [See Biog.] 

Children of Betsej^ : 

Mary, b. 1806; d. in infancy. 

Joanna Eliza, b. 22 Aug.,' 1807; m., 23 Feb., 1800, Adams Shep- 
herd, of Canterbury, a teacher; removed to Orio, Wabash 
county, 111 

Henrii, b. 30 May, 18' 9; d. at Patoka, Marion county, TIL, 19 
Feb., 1875. His father d. same day, at Webster, JST. H. 

Joseph, b. 7 Marcli, 1812; d. 15 April, 1816. 

Mary B.^ b. 24 March, 1815; m., 1st, Hon. Jefferson G. Thurber, 
of Monroe, Mich., 6 March. 1834, who d. May, 18.57 ; 2d, 
Dea. Samuel Wood, West Lebanon, 5 Sept., 1871. 

Harlan P.. b. 6 June, 1818; d. in Clay City, 111., 13 April, 1876. 

Thomas, ] , 5S^ t 1S->0- ^ 

Elizabeth, \ ' ' "-'P •' ' - ' j ni. Jeremiah V{. Wilson, m. d., Hop- 
kinton, 31 March, 1847. 

JosEi>H,« Cai)t. (Samnel,^ Stephen,'' Capt.), lived on the homestead, 
Canterbury ; m., 1st, Sarah, dau. of ]S"athan Chandler, 
Concord; 2d, Sarah, dau. of Dea. John Church, Dun- 
barton, 1813. She was b. 9 June, 1784 ; d. 2 Feb., 
1855. 
Children of Sarah Chandler : 
Judith, b. 22 Feb., 1802; d. 24 Sept., 1820. 
Lucu, b. 24 Jan., 18u4 ; d. at Granville, O., 5 Oct., 1834; m. Rev. 

Jacob Little, of B., 1 June, 1820. 
Mary, b. U April, 1807; m. Rev. Henry Shedd, Leominster, Mass., 
28 Sept., 1829; went as home nussionaries to O., where 
she d. 12 March, 1835. 
Nathan, b. 28 Oct., 1811; d. 1 June, 1825. 

Children of Sarah Church : 
John, b. 26 April, 1814. 
Surah, b. 2 March, 1810 ; m. Dr. James B. Abbott, of B., 22 March, 

1813. 
Enoch, b. 16 Feb., 1818; d. 30 March, 1858. 
Susan, b. 1 Feb., 1820; m. Capt. True O. Furnald, Canterbury, 3 

Feb., 1841; resides in Manchester. 
Charles, b. 1 March, 1822. 

Judith, b. 21 May, 1824; m. Farnum Coffin, of B., 24 Nov., 1842. 
Neioell, b. 23 Feb., 1826; went to Cab, 1849, thence to Port Towu- 

send, W. T. 

ExocH,'' Adjt. (Enoch,5 Dea., Stephen," Capt ), m., 1st, Elizabeth, 
dau. of Hon. Abiel Foster, of Canterbury, 10 March, 
1800 ; she d. 18 July, 1803, aged 25 ; 2d, Kuth, 



544 GENEALOGICAL GERRISH, 

■widow of Abner Clough, Loudon, March, 1810, who 
d. 10 Dec, 1833, aged'oO. 
Children of Elizabetli : 
Steplien, b. 4 Jan., 1801; d. 2 Feb., 1810; m. Martha A., dan. of 
Joseph B. and Anna (Gerrish) Sinitli, of B., 2-2 Sept., 
1884. She m., 2d Gen. Enoch Gerrish Wood, 9 Oct., 
1844. 
Elizahetk, b. 14 Jan., 1803; d. 24 Aug., 1824. 

Children of Ruth : 
3Iarij A.,h. 14 March, 1811 ; d. 30 June, 1827. 
Rebecca P., b. 24 Sept., 1812; d. 29 June, 1845; m. Francis W. 
Ame.=;, of Canterbury, 8 May, 1838, who d. 30 Aug., 1838; 
2d, W. W. Brown, M. d., Chester, 8 Oct.. 1839. 
Caroline L.,h. 24 Aug., 1814; d. 23 Sept., 1838; m. ^\ . W. 
Brown, m. d., Chester, 8 May, 1838. 

IsAAC^ (Enoch,^ Dea., Stephen,^ Capt.) m. Caroline Lawrence, of 
Canterbury, 1 June, 1S15, who wash. 16 Nov., 1797, 
and d. at West Lebanon, 25 Oct , 1870. 

Twins, d. in infancy. 

Xy/(«, b. 28 June, 1818; ni. Dea. Samuel Wood, of West Leba- 
non, 24 Oct., 1838; d. 8 June, 1860. 
Enoch, b. 28 July, 1822. 
Elizabeth, b. 12 Jan., 1826 ; d. 15 April, 1828. 

Samuel Bartlett,^ Capt. (Joseph,^ Col., Stephen,* Capt.), was 
inn-keeper at B. about 16 years ; removed to ILart- 
land, Vt., 1829, from thence to Lebanon ; m. IMary, 
dau. of Capt. Joseph Wood, of Lebanon, 2 Sept., 1806. 
She was b. 16 Aug , 1789 ; resides at Lebanon. 

Sarah T7., b. 8 Aug., 1808; d. 2 Feb., 1861; m. Orlando Sar- 
gent, Woodstock, Vt., 8 July, 1829. 

Joanna H.,h. 27 Sept., 1812; d. 29 Aug., 1866; in., 1st, John 
Currier, Lebanon, 28 April, 1840; 2d, George H. Gates, 
Pomfret, Vt., 17 March, 1851; 3d, Humphrey Wood, Leb- 
anon, 13 April, 1859. 

Susan, b. 22 Dec, 1814; ni. Humphrey Wood, Lebanon, 7 June, 
1868. 

Ilnry P., b. 19 April, 1819 ; resides at Lebanon. 

Joseph W., b. 25 March, 1825. 

Samuel 31., h. 5 March, 1827 ; d. 30 Jan., 1854; m. Clara T. Dear- 
born, Lebanon, 28 Nov., 1850. 

George L., b. 29 July, 1829; m., 1st, Clarissa M. Wliittier, 31 
March. 1856; 2d, Eveline J. Marsh, Faribault, Minn.; re- 
sides at Waverly, Minn. 

Charles H., h. at Hartland, Vt., 27 Oct., 1832. 

Jeremiah,"^ Dea. (IMosos,*^ Ilenry,^ Col.), lived on the homestead at 
" Bashan ;" succeeded George T. Pillsbury, deceased, 
as deacon of the Congregational church at West Bos- 
cawen, and was leader of the choir about nin«3teen 



GENEALOGICAL GERRISH. 545 

years. He purchased, 26 Marcli, 1838, the first sera- 
pliine made by Charles Austin, of Concord. This was 
a reed instrument blown bj' pedals, and is remarkable 
as bein^ one of the earliest in America. He m. Jane, 
dan. of Dea. Enoch Little, of B., 8 March, 1821. 

Polly Z., b. 27 June, 1823; d. 26 Dec, 1813. 

Jeremiah Edwin, b. 19 May, 1826; d. 7 Nov., 1818. 

Sarah /., b. 11 Jan., 1830; d. 21 June, 1872; in, Georo;e Little, of 
Webster, 19 Nov., 1867. 

Henry H.. b. 21 Feb., 1833; m. Sarah J., dan. of Col. Paul Pear- 
son, of Webster, 11 Nov., 1856; lives on the homestead ; 
was chosen deacon of Congregational church, at Web- 
ster, to succeed Dea. Enoch Little, resigned. 

JamcAL.^ b. 11 j\Iay, 1838. 

Sam'^ (Stephen,*' Lieut., Henry,^ Col.) removed from B. to Solon, 
0., Nov., 1831, and to Elkhorn, Brown county, 111, 
jMarch, 1837 ; m., at Solon, Betsey Clough, of Canter- 
bury, 17 Jul}', 1835. 

John C, b. 22 May, 1836; d. 20 Jan., 18.51. 

Stephen, b. 6 June, 1839; d. 18 Sept., 1843. 

Elizabeth, b. 19 and d. 24 Nov., 1841. 

Lucien, b. 19 July, 1842; d. 24 Aug., 1869. 

Jane E., b. 22 March, 1844; m. John B. Clough, Sept., 1866. 

Sam, b. 25 Feb., 1846. 

SEWALL''(Stephen,'' Lieut., Henry,^ Col.) removed from B. to 
Elkhorn, Brown county, 111., Sept., 1836 ; m. there 
Elizabeth Groves, 8 Jan., 1846. 

Hannah, b. 20 July, 1848; m. Frank F. Winnaker, 26 Nov., 1871. 
Harriet, b. 18 Feb., 1850; m. Sam Gerrish, 8 July, 1867. 
Stephen, b. 12 Dec, 18.51; d. So Jan., 1855. 
Martlia J., b. 9 Feb., 1853; m. George E. Richardson, 23 April, 

1875. 
Samuel S.. h. 18 July, 1855. 
Marin J., h. 14 Jan., 1857. 
Jacob D.. b. 12 March, 18(51. 
Cynthia A., b. 15 May. 1866. 
Mary E., b. 4 April, 1868. 

Abiel'^ (Henry,® Henry,^ Col.) lived in Canterhury, and after- 
wards on the homestead, since occupied as the county 
farm ; removed to West Creek, Lake country, Ind., 
where he now resides ; m. Eliza, dan. of Paul Dodge, 
of B., 18 Jan., 1830. 

Maria, b. in Canterbury, 15 April, 1831; m. -Joseph Barnard, Jr., 

of Contoocookville, 26 Oct., 1849. 
Martha, b. in Canterbury, 5 Nov., 1832 ; m. William S. Freed, of 

Dundas, Out., Canada, 18 Aug., 1862; d. 16 Dec, 1875. 
3Iary, b. in Canterburv, 22 Aug., 1834; m. Joseph A. Little, West 

Creek, Ind., 1 Nov., 1859. 



546 GENEALOGICAL GERRISH. 

James Z., b. in B., 15 Nov., 1836. 

Jane P., b. 9 July, 1841; m. Thomas Stroud, of Wheeler, lad., 31 

Dec, 1863; resides at Saliiia, III. 
Ann E., b. 10 Feb., 1847 ; m. David B. Brush, Waveland, Ind., 22 

Sept., 1868. 

Calvin" (Jacob,® Henry,^ Col.) resides in Concord; m. Ann S. 
Fifield, of Franklin, 1 Dec , 1836. 
Susan Augusta, h. 4 Auf?., 1838; m. Hiram K. Dewey, Waterford, 

Vt., 1 March, 1866 ; resides iii Barton, Vt. 
Hiram F., b. 27 Sept., 1839. 

David A.'' (Jacob,® Hemy,^ Col.) lived on the homestead ; filled 
various offices of trust ; removed to Letonia, 0., A|)ril, 
1869 ; m. Elizabeth Putnam, Warren, Mass., 11 Oct., 
1841. 

Frances E., b. 17 Jan., 1847 ; d. 26 July, 1865. 

Adaline D.,h. 9 Jan., 1850. 

Absalom'^ (Joseph,® Henr^^,® Col.) settled at Elkhorn, Brown co., 
111., in 1836 ; m. Harriet, dau. of Lieut. Stephen Ger- 
rish, of B., 5 June, 1839. 
JosepTi A., b. 7 Oct., 1844; d. 6 Oct., 1876, was greatly interested 
in the study of natural history, commencing when a boy 
to collect geological and other specimens. His museum of 
curiosities became famous throughout the comity. 

Milton,'' Capt. (Josepli,® Henry,^ Col.), lives on the paternal estate, 
Franklin ; m. Hannah Dimick, West Hartford, Yt., 28 
Oct., 1839. 

Clara i., b. 28 June, 1842; m. Henry W. Boutwell, of Lynde- 
borough, 3 May, 1872; resides at West Medford, Mass. 

Frank J/., b. 20 June, 1848 ; resides in Manchester. 

Charles F., b. 10 Oct., 1850. 

LuciEN' (Joseph,® Henry,^ Col.) lived at Sanbornton Bridge (now 
Tilton) ; m. Mary J. Dimick, West Hartford, Vt., 2 
Oct., 1846. 
Sarah F., b. G Sept., 1847; m. Samuel W., son of Rev. Joseph T. 
Lewis, 21 Aug., 1866; resides in Cincinnati, O. 

Leonard'^ (Joseph,® Henry,^ Col.) resides on the paternal estate, 
Franklin ; m Emily A. Cerrish, Fisherville, 15 March, 
1849. 
Joseplilne M., b. 17 Oct., 1851. 
Helen X., b. 6 Aug., 1858. 

Henky'^ (Thomas,® Dea., Henry,^ Col.) lived in Sandoval and Pa- 
toka, 111. ; m. Eunice Couch, of Friendship, N. Y., 21 
Oct., 1841. 
Harlan T., b. 11 Sept., 1842. 
Jacob E. R., b. 9 Dec, 1843; d. 15 Dec, 1861. 



GENEALOGICAL GERRISH. 547 

Marij E., b. 2-1 Jan., 1846 ; m. Samuel Britt, 2 Nov., 1809. 

Lfiui //., b. 11 March, 1848; in. Susan Parker, 14 Sept., 1873. 

Simeon S., h. and d. 1 Jiin., 1850. 

Sarah E., b. 27 Dec, 1850; d. 10 Sept., 1862. 

Albert il/., b. 4 April, 1853. 

Hiram E., b. 28 Aug., 1855; d. 3 March, 1866. 

Harlan P.'^ (Thomas," Dea., Henry,'^ Col.) removed to 111., 1854 ; 
was merchant at Sandoval ; retired to a farm at Clay 
City, 1871 ; m., 1st, Almira C. Gault, of Hooksett, 
June, 1846 ; 2d, Mrs. Avelin D. Wood ; 3d, Mrs. Ma- 
tilda E. Devore, of Clay City, Aug., 1871. 

Children of Almira : 

John C, b. 2 Mav, 1849; resides at Coffeysburg, Daviess county, 

Mo. 
/c'.«e G., h. 10 Sept., 1851 ; d. 28 Dec, 1852. 

Children of Matilda: 

D;iug1iter, b. 1872; d. 1877. 

Son, h. June, 1875; d. March, 1876. 

Thomas' (Tliomas,*^ D.ea., Henry,^ Col.) resides in Webster; m., 
1st, Susan M. Colby, of Hopkinton, 3 Sept., 1856 ; 
ra., 2d, Caroline H. Lewis, of Newport, 30 Aug., 1870. 

Child of Susan : 

Franl- //., b. 17 April, 1881. 

Children of Caroline : 

Alhert E., b. 23 Nov., 1872; d. 2 Feb., 1875. 
Man, E.,h.9 Jan., 1875. 
Edifh M., h. 17 Oct., 1876. 

John,'' Eev. (Joseph," Cajit., SamueP), entered Dart, college, 
1832, but from ill health was obliged to leave the same 
year ; went to Canada in 1836 ; ehtered Theo. Sem. 
at Bangor, Me., 1843, and was there licensed to preach, 
Aug., 1845 ; was ordained by Crawfordsville Presby- 
tery, April, 1847, at Rob Roy, Ind. ; preached in Ver- 
million county, Ind., seven years ; was installed pas- 
tor at New Washington, Clark county, Ind., 1853, and 
remained nine years ; also over the church at Homer, 
Mich., June, 1866, where he continued about twelve 
years ; was settled over the Presbyterian church, at 
Washington, Davies county, Ind., 1878 ; received the 
honorable degree of A. m. from AYabash coll. in 1860 ; 
m. Ehoda B., dau. of Eichard Little, of B., 14 Jan., 
1837. 

Richard, b. 13 Nov., 1837; d. 17 May, 1839. 

Lucy, b. 7 Sept., 1840. 



548 GENEALOGICAL GERRISH. 

Enoch' (Joseph,'' Capt., Samuel^) went to St. Arinand, Canada, 
in 1839 ; lived there six years, then at Thetford, Vt. ; 
removed to Helt townshij), Vermillion county, Ind., 
Sept., 1852 ; Avas an elder of Presbvterian church ; 
m. Abbie C. Cogswell, of B., 7 Jan., 1840. 

Charles, h. 2 July, 1841, in L. C; enlisted in 18th Regt. Ind. Vol. 
Infantry; was at the battle of Pea Ridge; served eleven 
months; returned home and d. of disease contracted iu the 
army. 

Liicien,h. 2(3 Feb., 1843, in L. C; served in the 71st Ind. Reg't 
three months; was in the battle of Richmond, Ky.; re- 
turned home, and d. from disease brought on by exposure 
and cam]) life, 7 Oct., 1862. 

Johi O.. b. 1 iMarch, 1848. in B. ; d. 24 Oct., 18(12. 

Mar)/ E., b. 21 July, 1849, Thetford, Vt.; m. Rev. Henry M. No- 
lan, 17 Sept., 18G8, EdL'ar county. 111. 

Hattie 31., h. 20 Feb., 1851. Tlietford, Vt.; m. Samuel S.Mar- 
shall, In Aug., 1873; resides in Helt township, Vermil- 
lion county, Ind. 

Edward, b. 14 Jan., 1853; m. Almira Slddmore, 29 Feb., 1872; 
resides in P^dgar county. 111. 

James L., b. 24 Jan., 1856. 

Charles,'^ Hon. (Joseph,® Capt., SamueP), removed from Canter- 
bury to Minn., 1855 ; resides at St. Charles ; is presi- 
dent of the Dover Bank, Minn. ; wa.s Eep. delegate 
to the constitutional convention of Minn. ; m. Olive 
W. Dimick, 1 8 March, 1845, West Hartford, Vt. 

Anen,h. 19 Dec, 184.5. 

Adah, b. 13 Sept., 1849 ; m. Alvano B. Dyar, 18 Nov., 1809, at St. 

Charles, Minn. 
EUa v., b. 8 Sept., 1858. 

Newell'^ (Joseph,® Capt., SamueP) went to Cal. in 1849, from 
thence to Port Townsend, W. T., where he m., and 
has two children. 

Henry, Ci/nthia A. 

ExocH." Col. (Isaac,® Enoch,^ Dea ), m. Miranda 0., dau. of Joseph 
S. Lawrence, of Lee, 23 Ma}', 1854, who was b. 15 
June, 1829. [See Biog.] 

Erardc L., b. 19 May, 1855. [See Biog.] 
Lizzie M., b. 14 June, 1800. 

Joseph W.' (Samuel B.,®Capt., Joseph,^ Col.) resides in Lebanon; 
m Eunice M, Hewes, of Lyme, 6 Feb., 1855. [See 
Biog.] 

Charles IF., b. 25 Xov., 1855. 
ErnUy /. , b. 8 Sept., 18G1. 



GENEALOGICAL — GERRISH. 



549 



Charles H.' (Samuel B.,'' Capt., Joseph,*^ Col.) resides in Leba- 
non ; m., 1st, Anna Foster, 13 Nov., 18G6 ; 2d, Lydia 
A. Gates, 14 Feb., 1875, both of Lebanon. 

Children of Anna: 

Charles F., h. U Aug., 1870 ; d. G March. 1873. 

Eugene B., h. 4 Oct., 1872. 

Anna M., b. 25 July, 1874 ; d. 16 Sept., 1874. 

James L.^ (Jeremiah,'' Dea., Moses*^) resides on the homestead at 
"Webster ; is justice of the peace, and has filled vari- 
ous offices of trust ; was the first in town to enlist un- 
der Lieut. David E. Burbank, in Co. E (of which he 
was corporal), 16th Eeg't iN . H. V. M. At the capture 
of Fort Burton. Butte La Eose, La., 20 April, 1863, 
he was a sharpshooter on the gunboat Clifton, and 
took part in that engagement. He m. fSarah B. Chand- 
ler, of Fisherville, 22 Dec, 1864. 

Eilirin Chandler, b. 4 July, 1867. 

Ilary Imogen, b. 21 Aug.,' 1872; d. 31 Aug., 1873. 

LuciEN^ (Siim." Stephen,^ Lieut.) m. Mar,y J. Scantland, Nov., 
1865. 
Nora Agnefi, b. 8 July, 1867. 

Sam ^ (Sara," Stephen,^ Lieut.) m. Harriet Gerrish, of Elkhorn, 
Brown county. 111., 8 Jul}^, 1867. 

Nettie May. b. 15 May, 1868. 

Henrij Z.."b. 26 Sept., 1870; d. 15 IMarch, 1872. 

Emma E., h. 22 Feb., 1873; d. 13 Aug., 1875. 

Ham/ E., b. 16 Jan. 1875. 

Joseph II., b. 9 May, 1877. 

James L.^ (Abiel,'' Henry*') resides at West Creek, Ind ; m. 
Lena D. Dyer, of Wheaton, 111., 15 Feb., 1806. 
Henry, b. 13 Feb., 1867. 

ir''^ lb. 24 Sept., 1872. 
Lame, \ ^ ' 

Kittle 7^., b. 16 May, 1874. 

Hiram F.« (Calvin,^ Jacob*') enlisted in Co. B, 2d Reg'tN. H. V., 
May, 1861 ; served in various departments of the 
army four years and nine months, in which time he 
passed through the different grades from private to 
the rank of major, — was also brevetted Major. He 
participated in the following battles : First Bull Run, 
Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- 
ville. Fort Harrison, Gettysburg, and Petersburg. 
After Lee's surrender, Maj. Gerrish took charge of 
the railroad from Appomattox to Farmville, Va., and 



550 GENEALOGICAL — GERRISH. 

run the first engine over tlie road after it came into Fed- 
eral possession ; was afterwards stationed at Fred- 
ericksburg as chief quarter-master, district of north- 
eastern Virginia ; is now connected with the internal 
revenue dejjartment, Dover ; m. Edith A. Eaton, of 
Concord, 28 Aug., I8G0. 

Herbert, b. 28 May, and d. 10 Aug., 1SG9. 
Ellen A., b. 23 April, 187G; d. 27 Dec, 1877. 

Haulax T.^' (Henry,' Thomas,^ Dea.) m. Marv A. C Flint, 20 
March, 1S64. 

Larlhi II., b. 11 Feb., 18(35; d. :\rarch. 1800. 
Mary C. A., b. 11 April, and d. 22 Mav, 1807. 
George i., b. 10 June, 1868; d. 29 March, 1870. 
William S., b. 21 Jan., 1871. 
Infant s^on, b. ami d. 8 March, 1873. 
Lida E., b. 30 March, 1874. 

Allen* (Charles,' ITon., Josepli." Capt.) resides in St. Charles, 
Minn.; m. Ida A. Hill, Oct.,1866. 
Ina A., h. 28 July, 1867. 
Lilt/ J., h. 8 June, 1869. 
Charles W., h. 15 Aug., 1873; d. in infancy. 

The family of Joseph Gerrish, Newbury, INIass., who settled on 
the Blackwater. 

Moses,* eldest son of Joseph^, Col., and Mary (Little) Gerrish, of 
Newbury, INIass., b. 15 April, 1706; m. Mary Moody, 
18 April, 1728 ; lived in Newbury (Bj-field) ; was a 
farmer. 

Sarah, b. 1729 ; d. 16 March, 1773; m. Dea. Isaac Pear.^nn (his 1st 
wife) 28 Nov., 1751; he was a miller and settled in B. 

Joseph, b. in Newbury; d. in B. 10 Dec. 1802. 

Paul, a farmer; lived at Townsend, Mass. 

Samuel. 

William. 

Belsetj, d. young. 

Joseph^ (Moses,"* Joseph,^ Col.) removed from Newbury, Mass., 
to B., 1779, and settled on the Blackwater river, near 
the present residence of Henry L Dodge. Tlie next 
year [?] he bought of Col. Henry Gerrish the saw- 
and grist-mill erected by the latter about 1774, — the 
first mill built in West B., and situated a few rods 
above the one now owned by F. L. Burbauk & Son ; 
Avas a miller and farmer ; m. Mehitable Currier, of 
Amesburv, Mass., 1 Jan., 1761, who d. at B. 10 
March, 1*819, aged 78. 




^iz,.^^^^' fSy^c-^i^i--i^-^^-^^iy 



GENEALOGICAL GILL. 551 

Mary, b. 24 Oct., 1701; d. 3 May, 18-29: m., 1st, Dea. Enoch Ger- 
rish, of B. (his 3d wife), 2 July, 1792; 2d, Col. David 
McCiillis, of Canterbury, 17 Oct., 1822. 

Jane. h. i Dec, 1703; d. 9 Oct., 1840. 

Sarah, b. 27 Aug., 17G8; d. 21 Dec, 1810; m. Jeremiah Gerrish, 
of B., 6 March. 1788. 

3Ioses, h. 18 July, 1772; d. 7 Dec, 1851. 

Moses,® Col. (Joseph,'' Moses*), lived at West B., in the house 
now owned by Charles D. Glitten; m., 1st, Susanna 
Clougli, of Canterbury, who was b. 16 March, 1776, 
and d. 25 June, ISoO ; 2d, Mrs. L^'dia Lovejoy, of 
Lebanon, March, 18o2. 

Children of Susanna : 

Betset/, b. 18 Nov., 1790; d. 1859; in. Henry G. Wood, of Leba- 
non, 8 Jan., 1810. 

Jeremiah, b. 18 May, 1798; d. 9 April, 1830. 

Sarah, b. 28 May, 1800; m., 1st, Daniel Biaisdell, of B., 28 May, 
J 839 ; 2d, Joshua George, of Warner, 2 July, 1815. 

Mary,\). 19 June, 1809; ni. Jolm Noyes. of Lebanon, 11 June, 
1815. 

Joseph S., b. 19 April, 1817 ; d. 12 June, 1843. 

GILL. 

Compiled by Elizabeth P. Gill. 

William,^ a citizen of Newmarket, was the ancestor of the Gill 
families of B,, Concord, and Hopkinton ; d. about the 
year 1810, at the dwelling of his son, on the Plain. 

SumnnaJi, b. May 22. 1704; m. John Kimball, of Hopkinton. 
William, b. 8 Feb., 1760. 
Bradbury, b. 7 April, 1768. 

Moses, b. 14 Oct., 1770; lived and d. in Portsmouth. 
Johi, h. 21 July, 1774. 

Lucy, b. 28 Feb., 1780; m. Isaac Shute, of Concord; d. March, 
1828; eleven children. ' 

"William^ (William^) m. Puth Haselton, of Concord, and settled 
on the Plain, nearly opposite the academy. He plant- 
ed the elm tree now standing near the old residence, 
which being measured, 15 Jan., 1878, by his son, 
James H., was fourteen feet in circumference four feet 
from the ground, and its branches spread one hundred 
and fifteen feet. For the beautiful elm trees on the 
east side of the highway, between the academy and 
Bridge street, the town is indebted to him and his 
brother Jolin, who planted them nearly ninety years 
ago. 



552 GENEALOGICAL GILL. 

Susan B., b. 28 July, 1793: d. July, 1834. 

Ruth, b. 24 Aug., 1791; m. Benj. Dearborn, of Plymouth; d. 

Sept., 1838; nine children. 
Mary, b. 24 Aug., 1790; m. Natli. Draper, of riyniouth; d. Dec., 

1S3S; six children. 
Sally, h. 20 Dec, 1797; ni. Jeremiah Burpee; d. Nov., 1872 [see 

Burpee family.] 
William, b. 4 Jan., 18U0; m. Eliza Bartlett, 1820; d. Sept., 1853; 

five children. 
Samuel, b. 10 Aug., 18 -3 ; d. Sept.. 1819. 
Hannah, h. 13 July, 1805 ; m. Charles F. Gage, of Methnen, Mass., 

4 iMay, lS3n ; three children. 
Harriet, h. 13 July, 1805 ; m. Robert Cochran, of Plymouth ; d. 

Jan., 18G(3; six cliildren. 
James H.,h. 12 Oct., 1807. 
John H., b. 16 Sept.. 1809. 
Eliza, b. 26 Oct., 1812 ; d. Oct., 1817. 
Judith, b. 29 Dec, 1815; d. Oct., 1817. 

Bradbuky- (William^) m. Eebecca Straw, ami settled in Hop- 
kiiiton; d. March, 1812. 

Moses, b. 31 Oct., 1797. 

LyiUa, b. 17 Nov., 1799; ni. John Carter, 1826 ; five cliildren. 

Betsey, b. 19 Jan., 1804 ; d. Nov., 1819. 

Bradbury, b. 10 Feb., 1806; m. Hannah Farnnm ; two children. 

Rebecca, b. 8 April, 1809 ; m. Mr. Atkins, of Gardiner, Me. 

John'^ (William^) m. Polly Carter, and lived in the house now 
standing nearly opposite the residence of Nathaniel 
S. Webster. 
A son; Judith. 

James H.^ (AVilliam,^ William^) m. Hannah, dau. of Simeon At- 
kinson, Aug., 1830, and settled on the river road, near 
the paternal homestead of his wife. Subsequently he 
moved to the Plain, opposite the church, where he re- 
sides with his daughter. 
Elizabeth P., h. 8 May, 1831. 

JoHX H.'^ (William,^ William^) m. Otessa Blodgett, of Plymouth, 
Dec, 1832, and is now living there. 

MosES^ (Bradhury,2 William\) m. Harriet Putney, 18 Dec, 1825, 
and settled on the Plain, where their son now lives ; for 
a time he was superintendent of the city farm in Con- 
cord, where he and his wife gained many friends, and 
their labors in caring for the poor were duly appreci- 
ated. 

Hamilton P., b. 26 Oct., 1826. 

Rebecca S., b. March, 1830; d. Sept., 1831. 

Rebecca S., b. 27 Dec, 1831; m. Andrew Jackson. 

Hamilton P^ (Mose.s,^ Bradbury- William') m. Lydia A. Davis, 
of Concord, 12 Sept., 1850 ; resides on the homestead 
inherited from his father. 



GENEALOGICAL GREENOUGH. 553 

Harriet E., h. 1 Aug., ]8ol; d. 7 March, 1S(37. 
Henrij H., b. 7 July, 1855. 
E,^ther /).. b. If) Jan., 1858. 
Mood// C, b. 17 July, 18G0, 

GREEXOUGir. 

Ebenezeu,-^ h. in Haverhill, Mass. ; m. Maiy, dau. of Eev. Ebene- 
zer Flagg, of Chester ; moved to Canterhurj, 1793. 
Tlieir children were seven sons and four daughters. 
John, only, settled in B. 

John," h. in Haverhill, JMass., 5 April, 1780 ; moved to Canter- 
hur}', with his father, and was emploj^ed in his store 
as clerk and partner until he moved to B. ; m. iSTancy, 
dau. of Hon Ahiel Foster, of Canterbury, 1803. He 
moved to B., Jan., 1814, and purchased the house for- 
merly the residence of Col. Timoth}' Dix ; opened a 
store adjoining his house for the sale of goods, and 
continued in the same business there until he removed 
to his new brick store, a few rods north, about 1820. 
His business increased in the new location so that at 
one time he kept one of the largest stocks of goods in 
N. H. He continued in business until liis death, 3 
Sept , 18G2. [See Biog.] Mrs. Greenough d. 28 
]\[arch, 1819. He m., 2d, Mary, dau. of Samuel 
Bridge, Esq., of Billerica, Mass., 1820. 

Cliildren of Nancy : 

Mary, b 1 July, 1801; m. Dea. Nehemiah Cogswell, 11 June, 1841, 

Frederick William, b. 2 April, 1800; m. Emily, dau. of Kins- 
man, of Pembroke, 4 Nov., 1846; settled in Ohio. 

Elbridfje Flagg, b. 30 Feb., 1808; m. Elizabeth R., dau. of Moses 
Eastman, Esq., of Salisbury, 18 June, 1846; d. 31 May, 
1875. 

Henry, b. Aug., 1812; d. 9 May, 1817. 

John Brid(/e, b. 8 Feb., 1816 ; m. Susan Hall, adopted dau. of Dea. 
William Temple, May, 1847; d. 17 Jan., 1864. 

Samuel F., b. 22 March, 1819; d. in infancy. 

Children of Mary : 

Ellen Noyes, b. 9 Aug., 1821; ra. Rev. D. R. Brewer, June, 1845; 

d. 2 April, 1852. 
Ann Foster, b. 19 July, 1823 ; m. John W. Sullivan, of Boston, 

18 Nov., 1863. 
Lucia Maria, b. 11 Oct., 1826; m. Charles W. Web.ster, of Boston, 

5 Jan., 1853. They now reside on the homestead of his 

father, Worcester Webster, formerly the mansion of Hon. 

Ezekiel Webster. 
Henry Pollard, b. 15 Dec, 1831; d. 13 Dec, 1852. 



554 GENEALOGICAL HARRIS. 

HAERIS. 

Compiled by E. S. Harris. 

Bethuel,^ of Scottish origin, resided in Nelson, and became cel- 
ebrated as a manufacturer of woollen goods. 

Almon" (BetbueP), b. 29 Aug., 1800 ; lived with his father until 
1821 ; went to Watertown, Mass., and worked at the 
business carried on by his father five years, returning 
to Nelson, and m. Phebe, dan. of Ezra Sheldon, 26 
June, 1826 ; moved to Marlow, and erected mills for 
sawing lumber, grinding grain, carding tv'ool, and 
dressing cloth. In 1832 he moved on to a farm in 
Winchester. Evidently he was not satisfied with an 
agricultural life, for in three years he returned to Nel- 
son and carried on the manufacture of woollen goods 
until 1847. The good facilities for transportation, 
and tlie excellent water-power on the Contoocook, 
with other natural advantages, induced him to remove 
there, and estaldish his business on a larger and more 
permanent basis. He purchased of Messrs. Gage the 
water-power and mill-site which had long been occu- 
pied by their ancestors, and erected thereon the Dus- 
ton Island AVoollen IMilLs, which he and his sons suc- 
cessfully operated until his death, 15 Sept., 1876. He 
was regarded by his townsmen as a substantial busi- 
ness man, and was frequentl}^ called to fill the office 
of selectman. He was chosen to represent the town 
in the legislatures of 1864 and 1865, was a member of 
the Congregational church fort^'-four years, deacon and 
superintendent of the Sabbath-school, in the towns 
where he resided, many years. 

Ezra Sheldon, h. 27 Nov., 1827. 
Bethuel Edwin, b. 18 May, 1829. 
Almo7i Ainger, b. 29 Dec, 1832. 

Ezra Sheldon^ (Almon,^ BethueP) m., 1st, Cassandra Androm- 
ache, dau. of Nathan B. Greene, 20 June, 1860. She 
d. 5 Nov., 1865. Married, 2d, Sarah Amelia, sister of 
Cassandra, 12 Oct., 1867. 

Children of Cassandra : 
Grace Greene, b. 14 Oct., 1863. 
Robert Lincoln, b. 3 May, 1865. 

Children of Sarah : 
Harry Sheldon, b. 24 Aug., 1868. 
Almon Greene, b. 24 Jan., 1870. 
Lucy Cassandra, b. 3 Nov., 1874. 



GENEALOGICAL HOSMER. 555 

Bethuel Edwin^ (Almoir) m. AbLie M., clau. of diaries T. 
Eamos, of Milford, Mass. 

Bethud Edwin, b. U Nov., 1866. 

Amelia Cla/lin, h. 7 April, 1868. 

Frank Sheldon, b. 19 Nov., 1871; d. 22 July, 1873. 

Helen, h. 14 March. 1875. 

Martj Capen, b. 5 Nov., 1877. 

Almoin Ainger^ (Almoii^) m. Eliza Jane, dau. of Ira Sweatt, 11 
Sept., 1855. 

Charles Naudine. b. 23 Aug., 1873; d. 7 Sept., 1874. 
Ilari/ Isabel, b. 1 Oct., 1877. 

Ezra and Almon settled in B. (Fislierville) and still continue 
tlie business established by their father and themselves under the 
name of E. S. Harris & Co. 

HOSMEE. 

Compiled by Jacob E. Hosmer. 

James^ came from England to Mass. ; became a freeman 17 May, 
1637 ; d. in Concord, Mass., 7 Feb., 1685. 

James- m. 8arah White ; was killed at the Sudbury fight. 

Thomas,^ b. 6 Jul}-, 1672 ; m. Hannah Hartwell. 

James,* b. 1708. 

Samuel,^ b. 12 May, 1734 ; m. Anna Parlin, 5 June, 1755. 

James,*^ b. in Concord, Mass., 1761 ; m. Ehoda G., daii. of Capt. 
Ebenezer Eastman, of Concord, N. H., 1784 ; d. Aug., 
1835. Ehoda d. at B., 23 Nov., 1839. 

James, h. 1785; d. in New Orleans, Feb., 1831. 

Jacob, b. 25 Aug., 1787. 

Samuel, b. 5 May, 1791; d. in Enfield, 25 Aug., 1836. 

Nano/, b. 1798; d. same vear. 

Nathaniel, b. 1 April, 1800; d. in Orford, 1865. 

Reuben, b. 1802;' d. in New Chester (now Hill), 1814. 

Albe Cadi/, b. 1804; d. iu Texas. 

Jacob'' (James,® Samuel,^ James,* Thomas,^ James," James^) m. 
Catherine Wellington, in Concord, Mass., 16 Oct., 
1808 ; moved to Concord, K H., 1812 ; went to Ports- 
mouth a volunteer in the war of 1812, remained 21 
days, when the war closed ; moved to B. in 1815, and 
purchased of Ezekiel Webster the house and lot next 
north of the cemetery on the Plain, where he success- 
fully carried on the manufacture of fur hats ; an esti- 
mable man and good citizen ; d, 21 June, 1868. His 
wife d. 25 Jan., 1876. 

36 



556 GENEALOGICAL — JACKMAN. 

Lucy Ann Augusta, h. 10 July, 1809; m. Dr. Stejilien M. Emery, 
22 Nov., 1838; resided at Fiaherville ; d. 8 April, 1878. 

Charlotte Maria, h- 2.5 Jane, 1812; m. 1st, James K. Brickett. 30 
Se]>t.. 1855; 2d, Jolni Putiiev, of East Concord, 10 May, 
1802. 

William Henr;/, b. 13 June, 18M. 

Lenora Wdlit'ir/ton, b. 11 Oct., 1810; m. Dr. John Fellows; d. 14 
Feb.. 1877. 

3Iar>/ Catherine, b. 3 Dec, 1818; d. 21 Dec, 1818. 

Jacob Eastman, b. 23 April, 18-iO. 

Nancy Pamelia, b. 7 July, 1822. 

il/flr?/ Frances, m. Asa L. Drew, 2 Dec, 1854. 

Charles Frederic, b. 23 ]\Iay, 1827; d. 21 Sept., 1831. 

George Franklin, b. 27 Oct., 1829; d. U Aug.. 1832. 

Charles Frederic, b. 1 Jan., 1832; d. 23 Jan., 1839. 

William Henry^ (Jacob'') m. Mary Jane Sanborn, of Sanborn- 
ton, who d. 7 March, 1863; studied medicine with 
Dr. Thomas P. Hill, of Sanbornton ; grad. at Dart. 
Med. Coll., July, 1838 ; resides at Fisherville. Mar- 
ried, 2d, Julia Eastman (Dunlap), 15 June, 1865. 
Children of Mary : 

Mary Frances,h. 25 Sept., 1842; m.,lst, Capt.William Fosgate,who 
was killed at Winchester, Va., June, 1804; 2d. John E. 
Abbot, of Vallejo,Cal.; two children, — B alph Hosmer a.nd 
Frank Brown. 

Carrie Elena, b. 28 Oct., 1848; d. 19 April, 1850. 

Ella Jane. b. 15 Nov., 1851; ni. John Chad wick ; two children, 
twins, — Julia and Jennie. 

Jacob Eastmax^ (Jacob") m. Lucretia Adele Gillet, 25 May, 
1847 ; resides at the homestead on the Plain inherited 
from his father. 

Charles Enrerij, h. 8 Sept., 1855. 

Stella Adele, b. 8 Sept., 1859; d. 1 April, 1800. 

JACKMAN. 

Compiled by Enoch Jackman. 

James^ came from Exeter, England, with his wife, Jemima, and 
settled in Newbury. Their children were Sarah, Es- 
ther, James, Joanna, and Richard The last named 
was ancestor of the Jackmans of B. His son, Rich- 
ard,'^ m. Elizabeth Majors, whose sons, George^ and 
Richard,^ settled in B. in 1737. 

George^ m. Hannah Bishop, 1728 ; was chosen deacon upon or- 
ganization of the church. [See Civil Hist.] 
Mehitahle, m. Moses Call; d. 19 Oct., 1809. 
Eunice, b. 25 Nov., 1730; m. John Flanders; d. 17 June, ISIS, 
William, b. 25 March, 1733; d. in Hartford, Conn., 1820. 



GENEALOGICAL — JACKMAN. 



557 



George, b. 28 Oct., 1735. 

Su.wnnalu ) (m. Benj. Eastman ; moved to New- 

)- b. 29 April, 17o9 ; - port. 
Elizabeth, ) (m. Capt. Joseph Eastman; moved 

to Concord. 
Benjamin, h. 7 May, 1743. 
Hannah, b. 1745: d. youiijj. 

EiCHARD,^ b. in Newbury, 1709 ; brother of George ; m. Martha 
Call, <lau. of Philip Call, of Salisbury, whose mother 
was killed by Indians. [See Civil Hist."] 

Richard, b. 6 Oct., 17-10. 
J<>hn,h. 21 Aac;., 1743. 
Moses, b. 26 April, 1746. 
Samuel, b. 17 March, 1749. - 
Sarah, h. 11 Sept., 1751 ; d. in infancy. 

Sarah, b. 29 Sept., 1755; m,Benj. Sweat (one of the first deacons 
of the ciiurch in Webster) ; d. 20 March, 1845. 

George/ Esq. (George,'' Dea.), b. in Newbury, 28 Oct., 1735 ; m,, 

1st, Martha Webster ; 2d, Thompson ; elected 

first town-clerk, 1760. 

Elizabeth, b. 4 July, 1758; m., 1st, John Stevens ; 2d, John Flan- 
ders; d. 1834. 
- William, b. 16 Nov., 1759 ; m. Betsey, dau. of Robie Morrill. 

Humphreii,h. 16 July, 1761; m. Judith Pettengill ; d. 28 Aug., 
18)3. 

Hannah, b. 19 March, 1763 ; m. Joseph Morrill. 

Martha, b. 10 June, 1765; m. Ephraim Wood, of Lebanon. 

George, b. 14 April, 1767 ; m. Marion Elliot ; d. 6 Feb., 1803. 

Ruth, b. 7 Marcli, 1769; m. Joseph Morrill [?]. 

Nathan, b. 21 Feb., 1771; m. Catherine Elliot ; lived in Bradford. 

John, b. 80 March, 1773 ; m. Hannah Pettengill ; d. 26 May, 1793. 

Susannah, b. 19 March, 1775 ; m. Stephen Farnum ; d. 5 March, 
1797. 

Stephen, h. 30 April, 1777; m. Sarah Bamford ; d. July, 1829. 

Sal.li/, b. 14 Jan., 1779 ; m. Robert Greenough. 

MehitaUe, b. 11 Sept., 1780 ; d. 18 Sept., 1780. 

Mehitable, m. Ephraim Wood, of Lebanon. 

Benjamin/ Lieut. (George''), m. Jane AVoodman ; d. 26 Nov., 
1836. 
Benjamin, b. 8 Sept., 1764; d. March, 1789. 
JosInia,h. 11 Jan., 1766. 
Jane, b. 20 Dec, 1767 ; m. Ezra Abbot, of Concord; d. 2 May, 

1847. 
William, b. 6 April, 1870 ; d. 18 Aug., 1825, in Illinois. 
George, b. 13 Oct., 1772; m. Hannah Heath; d. 18 March, 1839. 
Anna, b. 23 Oct., 1774; d. 28 Sept., 1856. 

Hannah, b. 31 Oct., 1776; m. John Plummer; d. 24 Aug., 1824. 
Jonathan, b. 1 Sept., 1780; m. Martha Goodwin; d. 24 March, 

1838. 
Mehitable, b. Oct., 1782; m. David Goodwin; d. 8 March, 1839. 



558 GENEALOGICAL JACKMAN. 

Betsey, b. 4 March, 1785 ; d. 4 Dec, 1850. 

Polly M., b. 2G March, 1787; m. Abraham Burbank; d. 21 Sept., 

1858. 

Joshua^ (Benjamin,* George-^), b. 11 Jan., 1766 ; m., 1st, Sally 
Carter ; 2d, Dorothy Sweat. 
Benjamin, b. 14 Aug., 1789. 
Jeremiah, b. 20 Aug., 1791. 
Judith, b. 10 Xov., 1793: m. Little Bnrbank. 
Samuel, b. 28 Sept., 1798. 
Joshua Woodman, b. 1 Feb., 1801. 
Hollis, b. 22 June, 1803 ; m. llutli Bugbee. 
Sally, b. 12 Sept., 1807 ; m. Isaac 15ngbee. 
Nancy, b. 2 June, 1810; m. Eddie Tracy. 
Joseph Warren, b. 22 June, 1812. 
Dorothy, b. 21 Nov., 1815; m. Friend L. Burbanlc. 

Benjamin® (Joshua,^ Benjamin,* George^) ra. Betsey Beverley. 
(Living in "Webster, 1876.) 

Jeremiah, b. 27 April, 1819 ; ni. ]Mary Doe. 

John, b. June, 1822. 

Jehial b. 27 July, 1826; m. Ann Mullin. 

Joshua Woodman® (Joshua^) m. Mary Burbanlc; d. in Chelsea, 

Vt. 
Polly. 
Joseph Warken''^ (Joshua") m., 1st, Judith Burbank ; 2d, Tam- 

son Danforth. 

George B., b. 7 May, 1846; d. 8 May, 1865. 
William W., b. 25 June, 1851. 
Charles T., b. 15 June, 1853. 
Judith M., b. 19 Aug., 1857. 

ElCHARD* (Richard^) m. Ruth Straw. The family moved to 
Tamworth, 1771. Richard Jackman was one of the 
first four settlers of that town. He subsequently 
moved to Maine. [See Hist, Tamworth.] 

Bicliard, b. Aug., 1764. 

Henry, b. 23 June, 1766. 

John* (Richard^), m. Mary, dau. of William Danforth : d. March, 
1813. 

Nehemiah, b. 4 July, 1764; ni. Ruth Flanders; d. Oct., 1845. 
Samuel, b. 23 Dec, 1766. 

Moses, h. 1 Jan., 1769; m., 1st, Corser; 2d, Cass; 

d. 18 April, 18.56. 
Mary, b. 1 Aug., 1771: ra. Dr. Benj. Knowlton. 
Susannah, h. 17 May, 1774; m. Nathaniel Thurston. 
Elizabeth, h. 28 Feb., 1779 ; m. Jolin Elliot, Jr. 
Olive, b. 7 Dec, 1781; ni. Samuel Page. 
Josiah,h. 6 April, 1784; m. Dorothea Corser. 
William, b, 13 April, 1787; ra, Huntoon. 




y^ / / / f 



^ 



GENEALOGICAL JACKMAN. 



559 



Moses* (RicLartP), captured by the Indians [see Civil Hist.] ; 
m. Martha Morse ; d. 8 Dec, 1838. 

Ruth, b. 1 May, 177i ; m,, 1st, Ezekiel Eastman; 2d, MaciahMoul- 
ton. 

Closes, b. 14 Jan., 1776; m., 1st, Khoda Collins; 2d, Betsey 
Beecher; d. 24 Nov., 1801. 

David, b. 25 March, 1779 ; ra., 1st, Naomi Elliot; 2d, Mary Flan- 
ders; d. 14 May, 1875. 

Sarah, b. 6 Nov., 1780 ; m. Samuel Oilman; d. 20 April, 1841. 

Martha, b. 12 Nov., 1780; m. Jeremiah Noyes; d. 5 March, 1858. 

John, b. 4 Julv, 1790. 

Caleb, b. 5 July, 1794. 

Enoch, b. 11 July, 1797 ; d. 4 Sept., 1825. 

JoHN^ (Moses'') m. Esther Burpee ; d. 20 Sept., 1860. 

Esther. 

John, b. 21 July, 1823; m. Sarah Boynton; professor of music; 
resides in B. ; one son, — Joseph Henry, b. 23 March, 1861. 

Caleb^ (Moses*) m. Martha Burpee ; lives in Concord [see Biog]. 
Emily, b. 13 May, 1841; m. Henry M. Elliot. 

Enoch, b. 7 May, 1828; m. Mary Elizabeth Moody; lives in Con- 
cord. 

Samuel* (Richard^^), m. 1st, Submit Brown ; 2d, Hannah Wins- 
low ; a joiner. He erected the frame of the town- 
house in Webster [see Hist.] ; moved to Vt., thence 
to Concord, where he d. 20 Aug., 1845. He was called 
'' Joiner " Jackman, to distinguish him from Samuel 
Jackman, the blacksmith. He was a man of marked 
ability and sterling integrity, and of great strength; 
an athlete ; he could climb trees feet foremost. 

Rhoda, b. 22 May, 1774. 

Samuel, h. 20 April. 1776 ; d. same year. 

Martha, b. 3 Jan., 1778. 

Samuel, h. 15 Feb., 178 i ; m. Lydia Shattuck ; d. 16 Oct., 1852. 

Molli/, b. 1 March, 1782; m. Samuel Barbank. 

RoTjal. 

ExocH« (Caleb,^ Moses*) m. Mary Elizabeth Moody. 

Martha E., b. 22 Jan., 1869. 
JJllie Idella, 29 Auo;., 1871. 
Esther Burpee, b. 23 April, 1877. 

Samuel (nephew of Dea. George), blacksmith, came from New- 
bury about 1770 ; ni. Anna Fowler, of Newbury. He 
lived near Millbrook, west of the late residence of 
Isaac and Col. Enoch Gerrish. His son Samuel, in 
1814, lost five children in one week by spotted (scar- 
let) fever. Eev. Mr. Price has the following para- 
graph in regard to the mortality : '^ On Sabbath 



560 



GENEALOGICAL JOHNSON. 



morning, Nov. 27, Mr. Jackman had seven children 
in apparent good health. At eight o'clock Hannah 
Kimball, aged nine, and Isaac Gerrish, aged seven 
years, were taken ill. The hoy died in eight and the 
girl in twenty-four hours. Their funeral attended on 
Monday, — discourse delivered by Rev, Mr. ^Vood, 
from Prov. 27, 1st verse, — and both interred in one 
grave. Walter Harris, five years old, was attacked 
by the same disease on Tuesday morning : died in 
twelve hours, and was buried on Wednesday. On 
Friday, David Flanders, two years old, was in like 
manner seized, and died in six hours, — his funeral at- 
tended on Saturday : Ilev. Mr. Wood preached on the 
occasion from John, 0:20 ; but in the time of the fu- 
neral exercises, Nancy, about three years old, received 
the fatal attack, died in ten hours, and was l)uried on 
the Sabbath. Thus a holy God, whose jDrovidence is 
inscrutable, took from the fond parents, out of seven, 
five lovely children, in the short term of seven dajs. 
Medical aid was early resorted to in these cases, but 
the violence of the attack in each case admitted of no 
relief from the application of medicine." 

Simeon, a brother of Samuel, the blacksmith, came to B. from 
Newbury, 1774, and erected a saw-mill on Blackwater 
river. 

JOHNSON. 

Compiled by Jolin Kimball. 

Jonathan,^ b. 31 Dec, 1753 ; m. Ehoda, dau. of Eeuben Abbot, 
of Concord, 8 Jan , 1778 (see Abbot family); nearly 
all of their descendants settled in B. ; d. IG Sept., 
1821. His wife, b. 31 Dec, 1756, d. 3 Aug., 1839. 
They settled on Horse hill, in Concord, near tlie line, 
and had twelve children. 

PJiehe, b. 10 Sept., 1778; ni. Eleazer Davis; d. 23 Sept., 1S1.9. 
Timothy, h. 10 Jan., 1780; m. Melindii Swett. 
Elanoi, h. 10 Oct., 1781 ; d. at B. 29 Jan., 1849. 
lihofhi, b. 7 Nov., 1783; m. Timotliy Abbot; d. 28 Sept., 1804. 
Hannah,h. 13 Mny, 1785; m. Ezekiel Eastman; moved to Ver- 
mont; d. 2h Miirch,l859. 
Jnhi, b. 11 Feb.. 1787 ; d, 2 Dec, 1790. 
Reuben, b. 12 Jan., 1789; ni. Judith II Chan<ller. 
Sarah Carter, b. 15 May, 1791 ; d. at B., 29 April, ISGl. 
John, b. 1.5 Jan., 1793 ; m. Sophia Abbot; d. 2ii Nov., 1871. 
PhiUi^ C, b. 9 Marcii, 1795; ni. Mary Chandler. 
Buth, b. 24 Aug., 1797 ; d. at B., Feb., 1875. 
Obadiah C, b. 11 July, 1801 ; ni. Betsey Charles. 



GENEALOGICAL JOHNSON. 561 

/ 
Eeuben- (Jonathan^) m. Judith H., dau. of Capt. John Chandler, 
1811, and for a time lived and carried on the wool- 
carding and cloth-dressing business at West Concord; 
moved to B. in 1818, and succeeded Capt. Chandler in 
the hotel at the south part of the town (now the Pen- 
acook house), which he kept until a few years before 
his death, 16 March, 1852. His wife d. 1 Nov., 1843. 

Lucy Jane, b. 31 Aug., 1812; m. Wm. M. Kimball. 8 Jan., 1835. 

Luther Gage, b. 13 Nov., 1813; m. Cornelia, dau. of Hon. Ezekiel 
]\Iorrill, 21 Jan., 1847; resides in Miuiiea[)oli.s, Minn. 

Twin, d. ill infancy. 

Charlotte, b. 9 Oct., 1815; drowned 23 July, 1824. 

Clarissa, b. 3 Dec, 1817; m. J. C. Smith, of Salisbury, 2G May, 
1841 ; resides in Salisbury. 

Susan Gar/e, h. 5 July, 1820; m. Isaac K. Gage [see Gage family]. 

John C, h. 11) Feb., 1825; d. 12 March, 1826. 

John Chandler, h. 23 Sept., 1827 ; m. Ann, dau. of Jeremiah Til- 
ton, of Sanbornton, 3 Sept., 1851; resides in Minneapolis, 
J\linn. 

Charlotte, h.d Xov., 182.9; m. S. D. Hubbard, March, 1851; d. 
9 Feb., 1852. 

Marij Xaomi. h. 17 May, 1832; m. W. B. Cogswell, 31 Jan., 1856; 
d. 28 July, 1877, at Mine La Motte,"'Mo. 

Annette Eastman, b. 1 March, 1837 ; d. 9 March, 1838. 

JoHX^ (Jonathan^) m. Sophia, dau. of Nathan Abbot, of Concord, 
28 Aug., 1817. Tbey settled on Queen st., near the 
south part of the town, where he carried on the busi- 
ness of builder and carpenter until his death, 20 Nov., 
1871. 

Lorenzo, b. 17 Oct., 1819 : d. 1 Sept., 1820. 
^ Catherine C, b. 9 Dec, 1820 ; d. 5 Nov., 1857. 
Lorenzo, b. 16 Nov., 1822 ; m. Adaline Fiske, 6 Jan., 1847. ' 
Lucretia, b. 9 i\Iay, 1825; m. Eben Howe, 20 Oct.. 1855. 
Francis, b. 24 June, 1827; m. ]\Iary J. Nutter, 1850. 
Timothij, b. andd. 15 April, 1831). 
John, b. 25 April, 1831; d. 9 March, 1833. 
Sophia, b. 15 Sept., 1834; d. 15 Jan., 1851. 

John, h. 10 Oct., 1837; m. 1st, Amanda M. Stewart; 2d, Judith 
Knowlton, of Concord. 

Warrex, another branch of the Johnson family, was b. in North- 
wood, 5 Feb., 1800 ; moved to B. in the spring of 
1825 ; m., 1st, Mercy Sanborn, of Sjjringfield, 14 June, 
X 1825. They settled on the brow of the hill overlook- 

ing the falls of the Contoocook, where he built a shop 
and carried on the blacksmith business, having pre- 
viously learned the trade of edge-tool making at 
Northwood. He possessed superior skill as a worker 



562 GENEALOGICAL KILBURN. 

of iron, and soon added to his business the manufac- 
ture of mill work, iron axle-trees, and iron-work gen- 
erally for carriages and manufacturing jiurposes. He 
was the first in town who put in operation the lathe 
for turning iron, and other labor-saving machinery at 
that time new, but now common. His shop was de- 
stroyed by fire in 1836, and rebuilt in 1837, where he 
carried on business till 1843 ; resides in Fisherville. 
His wife, b. 1 Sept., 1803, d. 18 July, 1840. Married, 
2d, Sarah Ann Sargent, 1 Sept., L841. 

Children of Mercy : 

Maliala, b. 1 April, 1826; d. 24 March. 1827. 
Alkander G., b. 23 Dec, 1827; d. 12 April, 1829. 
Jonathans., b. 11 Jan., 1830; lives in Lawrence, Ma?s. 

Wnrr/J^T \ ^- 14 March, 1825 ; \ f'' !" Lawrence Mass. 
Warren H.,^ ' ' ^ Uves in Marion, Iowa. 

Children of Sarah : 

Martha F., b. 15 Aug., 1843 ; d. 13 Nov., 1861. 
Millard F., b. 27 Oct., 1850; grad. at Brown University ; a Bap- 
tist clergyman. 
Flora C, b. 21 May, 1851; resides at Fisherville. 

KILBUEN. 

Thomas^ was b. in the parish of Wood Ditton, Cambridgeshire, 
England, 1578. His children Avere Mwr/eiret, Thom- 
as, Jilizabeth, George, Mary, Lydia, Frances, and 
John. He sailed from England on sliip " Increase," 
with five of his children, at the age of fifty-five, and 
settled in Weathersfield, Conn., 1639. It is known 
that Thomas, the eldest son, came in the ship " Eliza- 
beth," 1638 ; and it is proliable that George came 
with him, and settled in Koxbury, Mass., where he is 
registered as a member of the church the same year. 

George^ in 1640 was living in Rowley, and is registered as a 
freeman. His wife's name was Elizabeth. 

Mary, Joseph, Jacob, Samuel, Isaac, Elizabeth. 

Samuel^ (George,- Thomas^), b. 1 Sept., 1656 ; m. Mary Foster ; 
d. 22 April, 1722. His will is in the Ipswich probate 
office. 

Hannah, Samuel, David, Marcia, Jedediah, Eliphalet. 

Jedediah" (Samuel,^ George,^ Thomas^), b. 20 April, 1699 ; m. 
Susanna Fiske, of Ipswich. He is put down as "cor- 
net," 4 Feb., 1759. 




,n-^.^^cyA^ 



«-'C^'7^>^ 



GENEALOGICAL — KILBURN. 563 

Nathan, b. 1750. 

Eliphalet, h. 1752 ; d. 11 Dec, 1844. 

Lucy^h. 1751; lu. Win. Southwick ; settled in Dauvers. 

Mercy, b. 175(J ; m. Daniel Abbot, Concord. 

Jedediah, b. 1792; Newburyport ; a seaman. 

Nathaniel, b. 17G1 ; settled in B. ; moved to Thetford, Vt. 

Susan, d. young. 

Eliphalet,^ Dea. (Jedediah*), b. in Eowley ; served in the Revo- 
lution ; m. Mary Thorla, of Rowley ; moved to B., 
1780. [See Biog.] 

Eunice, h. 11 April, 17S1; m. Samuel Fowler, of B. 

George T., h. 1781. 

Enoch, } , ^r-o^ f 

Hannah, ^ "■ -"^"' | m. Thoraaw Coffin, of B. ; d. 20 Aug., 1833. 

Mary, b. 1787; m. Benj. T. Kimball, of B. 

Susan, b. 1789; m., 1st, Geo. T. Pillsbury, of B.; 2d, Saw- 
yer, of Warner. 

Betsey, b. 1792; m. Joseph Stone, of Salisbury. 

Clarissa, h. 1800; resides witli her sister, Mrs. S. B. Little, in Web- 
ster. 

Sally, m. Benj. T. Kimball ; lives on Water street. 

Phebe, b. 26 Sept., 1801; m. Simeon B. Little, of B. 

Eliphalet, b. 1801. 

Moody A., b. 1807; m., 1st, Lurana Bliss, of B.; 2d, Caroline B. 
Fi field, of Salisbury. 

George T.« (Eliphak't^), b. 1784 ; m., 1st, Abigail Allen ; 2d, 
Mary Morse. 
Children of Abigail : 

Samuel N., b. 1816; d. 1826. 

Harriet N., b. Dec, 1818. 

Elliot W., b. Feb., 1820. 

Enoch G., b. May, 1822; resides in Waltham, Mass. 

Francis W., b. 25 Dec, 1821. 

John A.,h. Sept., 1826. 

Fran-CIS W." (George T.*^) m. Eliza A. Lougee ; lives in Con- 
cord. 
Adele, b. 31 Oct., 1856; d. March, 1858. 
Nellie F., b. 12 Jan., 1860. 

John A.'^ (George T.*') m. Frances M. Brichett, of Fisherville ; 
lawyer; d. 20 Is"ov., 1860. 

Willie E., b. 10 April, 18.38; d. Feb., 1860. 
Helen M.,h. 28 Oct., 1859. 

Eliphalet*' (Eliphalet,^ Dea.) m. Mehitable Foster, of Canter- 
bury. [See Biog.] 
Galen Foster, b. 7 May, 18:31. 
Sarah Jane,h. 5 Aug., 1836; d. 3 Nov., 1855. 
Lucien Moody, b. 20 Jan., 1812. 
Charles Harrison, b. 11 Dec, 1817. 



564 GENEALOGICAL KILBURN. 

Galex Eoster' (Eliplmlet,'^ Eliphalet/ Dea.)^ ''^- " May, 1834 ; 
resided at home till 1857. His educational advan- 
tages were the common school and a few terms at an 
academy. In 1857 he went AVest and settled at Des 
Moines, Iowa ; taught school ; studied law with J. E. 
Jewett and C. C. Cole, the last since chief-justice of 
Iowa; began j^ractice at Eontanelle, Adair county, 
Jan., 18G0 ; was elected representative, 1867 ; took a 
prominent part as a legislator ; elected trustee State 
Agricultural College. In 1876 he removed to Creston, 
where he now resides, devoting himself to his profes- 
sion. Married, 1st, Jennie A., dau. of Eev. Joseph 
Mathes ; 2d, Emilie C. Baker. 

Children of Jennie : 

Lucien M., h. March, 1861. 
Ellen A., b. July, 18(j;3. 
Edmund, b. Dec, 18(30. 
Fannie L., b. Jan., 1870. 
Winnie, b. Nov., 1875. 

Lucien M.^ (Eliphalet*') m. Lizzie Peet. 
Charles W.. b. July, 1872. 
George G^., b. Jan., 1871. 

Enoch^ (Eliphalet,^ Dea.), h. 7 Feb., 1784 ; m., 1st, Betsev Morse ; 
2d, Elizabeth Cogswell; d. at Andover, 24 Feb., 1875. 
[See Biog.] 

Children of Betsey : 

Mary P., h. 1813; m. D. F. Kimball, of B. 

Judith A., b. 1815; m. Moses Farnum, of Concord; d. 1869. 

Gilbert T., b.l819. 

Enoch, b. 1821 ; d. young. 

Livonia C, b. 1823. 

Enoch G., b. 1826; d. 1871. 

Benjamin Franklin, h. 1828. 

Children of Elizabeth : 

Hennj W., b. 26 Sept. 1837. 
Joseph C, b. 5 July, 1839. 
Elizabeth S.. h. 1842. 

John C.,26 March, 1843; m. Nancy Bussell, of Andover; one child, 
—B. Franl: 

Gilbert T.^ (Enoch,« Eliphalet,^ Dea.), b. 1819 ; m. Abby Scrib- 
ner; lives in Concord. 
George T., Ben S. 

Enoch G.^ (Enoch«), b. 1826; m., 1st, Clara Fletcher; 2d, Sybil 
V. Hoyt; d. 1870. 



GENEALOGICAL KILBURN. 565 

Cliiklrcii of first wife : 
Mary^ Gerrish. 

Benjamin F.^ (Enoch®), b. 1828 ; m. Jane E. Haley, of Andover ; 
lived in Concord ; d. 1872. 
William H., Ella M., Frederick. 

Henry W.^ (Enoch,*' Eliphalet,^ Dea.), h. 26 Sept., 1837; m. 
Sophronia Herse3', of Hill. 
Anson Hersey, b. 26 March, 18(30. 
Sidney Gerrish, b. 19 Nov., 1871. 

Joseph C' (Enoch*'), b. 5 July, 1837 ; m. Abby Hawkins, of San- 
bornton ; lives in Henniker. 
Walter Edward. 

Thomas* (Joseph,^ George,"^ Tliomas^), 1). 3 Sept., 1753 ; m. Anna 
Plumei", of Newliury. 

Daniel. 

Ablqail, b. 7 Sept., 1783 ; ni. David Corser, of B. 

Ruih, h. 14 Dec, 1790; m. Wm. Warren, of Waterford, Me. 

Thomas, b. 1792 ; m. Lj'dia Warren, of Waterford, Me. 

John. 

JoHN^ (Thomas*), b, 12 Nov., 1794 ; m. Mary Butler, of Essex, 
Mass. ; d. 1875. 
William TF., b. G Sept., 1820; m. Louisa McClnre. 

Thomas, h. 26 Feb., 1826 ; m., 1st, Dearborn ; 2d, Elizabeth 

McCurdy. 
Daniel, h. 11 Dec, 1830. 
John, b. 2 Sept., 1837 ; m. Finette Flanders. 

Daniel^ (Thomas*) m., 1st, Uran ; 2d, Butler. 

Albert Plummer. 

Charles, b. 16 June, 1814 ; d. 12 March, 1839. 

Albeiit p.'' (DanieP), b. 1 In"ov., 1810 ; m. Abigail Tuttle. 
Nancy, m. Hiram Little. 
Charles P., b. 21 Jan., 1840; d. 9 Aug., 1842. 
Daniel P., b. 15 March, 1845; member U. S. Sharpshooters; cb 16 

March, 1864. 
Charles A., b. 5 March, 1849 ; d. 29 Sept., 1857. 
Flora Ella. b. 10 March, 1851; d. 1857. 
Charles Albert, b. 16 Dec, 18.37. 

Nathan^ (Jedediali,* Samuel,^ George,^ Thomas^), b. 1750; m. 
Sarah Plummer, of Newbury ; settled in B., 1794. 
John. 
James, b. 17 ISTov., 1783; m. Elizabeth Thurston, of Newbury; d. 

U Dec, 1869. 
Nathan, d. young. 
Sarah, d. young. 



566 



GENEALOGICAL KIMBALL. 



Jambs'^ (Natlian"). 

Ellzaheth, b. 9 Sept., 1808 ; m. Dr. Peter Carleton;d. 10 April, 1827, 

in Ind. 
Juilllh T., b. U March, 1810 ; rl. April, 1831. 
Ednah, b. 18 Jan., 1812 ; d. 1 Sept., 1838. 
Nathan, b. 2 Marcli, 18M. 
Eunke. b. 13 .July, 181 G ; m. John T. Dole. 
Judith Frances, b. 28 Sept., 1832; m. Oscar F. Lawrence, 111. 

Nathan'^ (James^), b. 2 Marcli, 1813 ; m., 1st, Polly Danforth ; 
2d, Harriet IST. Huntoon. 

Children of Polly : 

Albert, b. 15 Auff., 1810; d. Dec, 1874. 
Sarah C, b. 2.5 June, 1842. 
Angelia, h. 22 Sept., 1847. 
Manetta, b. 27 June, 1851. 

KIMBALL. 

Compiled by Joliii Kimball. 

Joseph,^ b. in Exeter in 1728; moved to Canterbury in 1793. 
Some of his descendants settled in B. He had seven 
sons and four daughters. Sarah, John, and Joseph 
came to Canterbury the next year. During a severe 
sickness in early life he became blind. He never 
looked upon the town ot" Canterbury, where he resided 
twenty-one years, and never saw six of his children. 
He d.' 6 NoV., 1814. 

JoHX^ (Joseph^), b. in Exeter, 20 Nov., 1707 ; m. Sarah, dau. of 
Benj. Moulton, of Kensington, 21 Nov., 1793 ; moved 
to Canterhur}'- 17 Feb., 1794, and settled on their 
homestead, just north of Shaker Village, where they 
resided nearly sixty years. After tlie death of his 
wife, 30 April, 1853, he lived with his son until his 
death, 26 Feb., 1801. Their children were six sons 
and three daughters, of whom Henjamin and John 
settled in B. 

Joseph^ (Joseph^), b. in Exeter, 23 Maj;, 1772 ; moved to Can- 
terbury, and m. Polly Hall ; they settled near the 
meeting-house at the centre of the town; their chil- 
dren were four sons and six daughters. He d. 19 
June, 1863. Jeremiah and William Moody settled 
inB. 

Benjamin^ (John,^ Joseph^), b. in Canterbury, 27 Dec, 1794 ; 
m. Euth Ames, dau. of David Ames, 2 Feb., 1820 ; 
moved to B. in the spring of 1824, and settled on the 



GENEALOGICAL — KIMBALL. 



567 



farm known as the Frost place, High st. ; resided 
there until Nov., 1830, when they removed to the 
south part of the town, now Pisherville ; d. 21 July, 
1834. He w^as an active and influential husiness man. 
In 1831 he erected the dam across the Contoocook 
river, and the brick grist- and flouring-mill now stand- 
ing near the stone factory ; and afterwards, with his 
cousin, William M., carried on the business of manu- 
facturing lumber. He took an active part in all that 
was essential to the general and religious welfare of 
the town. In March preceding his death he was 
elected to represent the town in the legislature, but 
his health was so impaired he was not able to take 
his seat. 
JoJin,h. 13 April, 1821. 

Elizabeth /., b. 12 April, 1825; d. 20 Sept., 1810. 
Joseph A., b. 8 Oct., 1826 -, d. 20 Feb., 1827. 
Lucy A., b. 28 Aug., 1829; d. 25 Aug., 1832. 
Benjamin A., b. 22 Aug., 1833. 
JOHN^ ( John^), b. in Canterbury, 31 May, 1798 ; m. Sally S., 
dau. of John Peverly, 24 Oct., 1826 ; moved to B. the 
next day, and settled on the farm known as the EoKe 
place, liigh st. They resided there until his death, 
30 Sept.,^lS29. Their child, John P., b. 23 Dec, 
1827, with his mother, returned to Canterbury soon 
after, where they now reside. She afterwards mar- 
ried David Morrill. 
Jeremiah^ (Joseph"-^), b. in Canterbury, 30 Nov., 1799 ; educated 
at Phillips Exeter Academy ; m., 1st, Julia, dau. of 
Timothy Gleason, in 1826; 2d, Kate, dau. of M. N. 
Brown, '4 Jan., 1869. After following the business 
of a merchant in Canterbury and Northfield ten years, 
he removed to B. in 1836, and formed a business con- 
nection with Luther G. Johnson. They were the first 
tradesmen who opened a store for the sale of goods in 
the south part of the town. He remained here and 
carried on the same business nearly twenty years, 
when he removed to Concord, wdiere he is an active 
business man, at the age of seventy-nine. 

Willi 4.M Moody^ (Joseph-), b. in Canterbxiry, 4 Dec, 1809; 
moved toB. in 1832, and associated himself m business 
with his cousin Benjamin; m. Lucy Jane, dau. of 
Eeuben Johnson, 8 Jan., 1835. He has been repeat- 
edly elected to fill various offices in town, for which he 
was well qualified. At one time he was owner in the 
large and valuable water-pow-er now the basis of the 



5G8 GENEALOGICAL — KIMBALL. 

flourishing village of Fislierville. In early life he was 
successfully engaged in building mills and machinery 
in various parts of the state, for which he and others 
of the same family became celebrated. Yov a time he 
was employed by one of the large manufacturing com- 
panies in the city of Lawrence, Mass. Tliey removed 
to Minneapolis in 1857, their present residence. Dur- 
ing the war he served as quartermaster of Sibley's ex- 
pedition against the Sioux Indians, — a difficult posi- 
tion, requiring great energy and despatch. 

WiUinm S.. h. 31 March, 1837. 

M. EUzahelh, b. 28 Dec, 1838; m. Hon. E. M. Wilson, of Mume- 

apobs, Minn., G Sept., 1865. 
Helen, h. 17 Aujr., 1849; d. 27 Dec, 1851. 
Edward.T.. b. 20 Nov., 18.52; m. Emily, dau. of Winthrop Young, 

of MinneapoH.s, Minn., 22 Aug., 1877. 

John* (Benjamin^), b. in Canterbury ; moved to B. with his par- 
ents in the spring of 1824 ; m. Maria H. I'hillips, of 
Kupert, Vt., 21 May, 1846. 
Clara Maria, b. 20 ]March, 1848; m. A. R. Ayres, 4 June, 1873; 
chilJren, — Ruth Ames and John Kimball. [See Biog.] 
Benjamin Ames* (Benjamin*^), b. in B., 22 Aug., 1833; m. Myra 
Tilton, dau. of Ira Elliott, 19 Jan., 1861. 
Henry Ames, b. 19 Oct., 18(34. [See Biog.] 

John P.* (John^), b. in B. ; m. ]\Iary Eliza, dau. of Samuel Hill, 
3 June, 1852 ; settled in Canterbury. 
George E., b. 23 Sept., 1856 ; d. 16 May, 1863. 
^-Jf-' lb. 13 May, 1859. 
Georgiana, b. 19 Oct., 1867. 

William Smith* (William M.-''), b. in B. ; educated in the pub- 
lic schools of Lawrence, Mass., Prof. Hildreth's acad- 
emy. Derry, and at the Rensselaer Pol3'technic Insti- 
tut'ej Troy, N. Y. ; studied to become a mechanical 
engineer ; m. Marion, dau. of Eufus Keeler, of Roch- 
ester, N. Y., 7 Oct., 1858, where he settled. During the 
war, 1862 and 1863, was in charge of the U. S. Naval 
machine shops at Port Royal, S. C. He has become, 
by his enterprise, prudence, and industry, one of the 
most successful manufacturers in the city of Roches- 
ter. 
Charles Harold, b. 5 March, 1801. 
Margaret Keeler, b. 25 March, 1864; d. 25 Aug., 1864. 



GENEALOGICAL — KIMBALL. 569 

KIMBALL. 

Eichakd/ at tlie age of thirty-nine, with his wife Ursula, came 
to America in the ship "Elizabeth;" embarked at Ip- 
swich, 10 April, 1G34, with Henry, 15, EUzaheth^ 13, 
lUchard, 11, 3Iary, 9, Martha, 5, John, 3, Tho^nas, 
1. Settled in Watertown, Mass. ; moved to Ipswich, 
1637. The B. family is descended from 

Henry,^ the oldest child, who lived at Ipswich, and had a son, — 

KiCHARD,^ wlio was b. at Ipswich, 1648 ; moved to ' Bradford ; 
was one of the first settlers of that town ; m. Sarah 
Shefford, supposed his second wife, Sept., 1682. He 
had a son, — 

Joseph,* b. 29 Dec. 1701 ; m. Abigail Peabody; lived at Brad- 
ford. 

Peter,^ Capt. (Joseph,* Richard,^ Henry,"^ Richard^), b. 1 Sept., 
1739 ; m. Elizabeth Thurston ; resided a short time 
in Haverhill; moved to B., 1765. [See Biog.] 

Hannah, b. at Haverliill, 2 Aug., 1763. 

Molly'h. 30 Aug., 1705 ; m. Isaac Chandler; d. 21 Jan., 1847. 

Joseph, b. -24 Nov., 17G7. 

Judllh, b. 23 Nov., 1709; d. 7 Oct., 1850. 

Belli/, b. 24: April, 1772; m. Samuel Choate, of B. 

Ahluli, b. 20 Jlay, 1774; m. Theodore Atkinson; d. July, 1859. 

Frances, b. 9 Aug., 1776; m. Rev. Moses Sawyer. 

Sally, b. 31 Dec, 1778; m. Solomon ]\Lartiu. 

Priscilla, b. 7 Aug., 1781; m. John Chandler; d. March, 1868. 

Benjamin Thurslon, b. 4 May, 1784; d. 2 July, 1852. 

Joseph*^ (Peter,^ Capt.), b. 24 Xov., 1767; m., 1st, Eunice Atkin- 
son ; 2d, Polly Fisher, of Newport ; moved to New- 
port ; was one of the leading singers of B. at the be- 
ginning of the century ; d. at Newport, 1848. 
Children of Eunice : 

Peler, b. 5 March, 1793 ; became a minister; preached in the West; 

m. Mary Wilcox, of Newport. 
Betsey, b. 1 Sept., 1796; m. Charles Comstock, of Newport. 
MllUm, b. 20 Feb., 1799 ; minister at Augusta, lib ; d. in 1865. 
Phila, b. 10 June, 1801; m. Blanchard; d. at Rochester, N. Y., 

June, 1877. 

Children of Polly : 
Jesse W., b. 16 June, 1805; m. Emily Cotton, of Claremoiit ; d. at 
Galesburg, 111., Aug., 1877. 

Eunice, b. 20 Dec, 1807; m. GrifEu, of Galesburg, 111. 

Solon, b. 6 Oct., 1809. 
Sophonia, b. 12 Dec, 1811; d. young. 

Lycurgus, b. 14 April, 1814; became a minister; d. at Galesburg, 
111. 



570 GENEALOGICAL KIMBALL. 

Benjamin T.*' (Peter,^ Capt.), b. 4 March, 1784 ; m., Ist, Maiy, 
dau. of Dea. Eliphalet Kilburn ; 2d, Sally, lier sister. 
[See Biog.] 

Ablah, b. 6 Oct., 1806; d. IS Oct., 182.3. 

Roxy Ann^ h. 22 Dec, 1809; ni. Calvin Craue; lives in Portland. 

David Flanders, b. 24 Dec, 1811. 

Peter, h. 25 March, 1817. 

Caroline, b. 30 Oct., 1819; m. JNIoses K. Sawyer, who d. in Port- 
land, Jan., 1875. 

Austin George, h. 24 Feb., 1821. 

David F.'^ (Benjamin T.«) m., 1st, Mary P., dau. of Enoch Kil- 
burn ; 2d, Mrs. Emily Burke, dau. of Geo. T. Pills- 
bury. [See Biog.] 

Benjamin Rush, b. 29 July, 1838; m. Carrie F. Jackman ; lives in 
Blooniins;ton, 111. 

^nn, b. 22 Feb., ^1811. 

Peter W., b. 11 Dec, 1812; d. 11 April, 1860. 

Livonia Coffin, b. 18 Nov., 1814. 

PetepJ (Benjamin T.''), b. 25 March, 1817 ; m. Nancy A. Adams, 
of Grafton. [See Biog.J 
Mary A.^ h. 6 June, 1852. 
Cyrus A., b. 30 April, 1855; d. 20 Aug., 1856. 
Carrie A., h. 8 Jan., 1857. 
Cyrus A., b. April, 18t51. 
George B., b. 28 Jan., 1865. 
Harry C, h. 26 May, 1872; d. 26 Jan., 1876. 

Austin Geokge" (Benjamin T.«),b. 24 Feb., 1821; m. Ellen, dau. 
of Isaac Hale, of Franklin. 

Mary E.,h. 8 July, 1846; m. Thomas M. Lang, of B., 1869. 
Ella G., b. 5 Sept., 1818; m. George jNIorse, of Fisherville, 1871. 
George E., b. 26 July, 1850 ; m. Mary E. Nelson, of Fisherville, 

1871. 
Emma J., b. 28 Jane, 1851. 
Hannah S., b. 12 March, 1858. 
Peter W., b. 29 Dec, 1860. 
Willie H, b. 29 March, 18G7. 



GENEALOGICAL LANG, 571 

LANG. 

Compiled by Jolin Kimball. 

Stephen^ resided in Loudon ; m. Abigail, dau. of Hon. Mesliech 
Weare,* of Hampton Falls. 

Samuel Weake- (Stephen^), b. 26 May, 1784; settled in East 
Concord, and was employed in the store of Stephen 
Ambrose till he was twenty-one years old ; moved to 
]>. in 1805, and associated himself in business with 
Joel French in the sale of goods, in a building now 
standing opposite the meeting-house on the plain ; m. 
Mar}'^. dau. of Jonathan Eastman, sen., of Concord, 9 
jMay, 1809. He was frequently elected to fill the va- 
rious offices in town, and held that of town-clerk until 
his death, 26 April, 1816. 

Esther Johnson, h. 12 May, 1810; m. Robert E. Pecker, 6 May, 
1832; d. 9 April, 1817. 

Jonathan Eastman, b. 27 Aug., 1811 ; m. Sophia M., dau. of Jere- 
miah Tilton, 29 Oct., 1838; d. 17 Oct., 1876. 

William, b. 1 Nov., 1812 ; d. in infancy. 

Mary Chandler, b. 27 June, 1816; m. Charles H. Clough,24 Sept., 
1840. 

*3Iesl)ech Weave was bom ill Hamptoa Falls, 16 June, 1713. "He was an active 
leader of the friends of liberty, and his name is associated with the most important 
transactions in New Hampshire through the whole of the Revolutionary war and the 
period of the formation of the general and state governments. He held almost every 
important position in the state, and had maintained an untarnished reputation in all.'' 
He was in the public service forty-live years; died 15 Jan., 1786. 

37 



572 GENEALOGICAL LITTLE. 

LITTLE. 

Compiletl by Alfred Little. 

Geokge,^ a resident of Unicorn st., London, by occupation a 
tailor, came to Newbury, Mass., in 1640. He seems 
to have been a man of enterprise and good judgment, 
and soon acquired some of the most productive land 
in that town, of which a large part has ever since 
been owned and occupied by his lineal descendants. 
He also bought land at Saco, Me., at Stonington and 
Quinnebaug, Conn. ; also in N. H. and N. J. The 
site of his last house, built in 1679 or 1680, is now 
marked by the residence of Dea. Joseph Little, at 
Newbury. He was a Christian man and good citizen ; 
d. between 15 March, 1693, and 27 Nov., 1604 ; m., 
1st, Alice Poore, of Newl)ury. She, at the age of 20, 
with her brothers Samuel and Daniel, came to that 
place with Mr. Stephen Dummer, on his second voj'- 
age to N. E., in tlie " Bevis," Capt. Eobert Batten, 
which sailed from Southampton, England, IMay, 1638. 
She d. 1 Dec, 1680, aged 62. He m., 2d, Eleanor, 
widow of Thomas Barnard, of Amesbury, JMass., 19 
July, 1681, who d. 27 Nov., 1694. 

Children of Alice : 

Sarah, b. 8 May, 1652; d. 19 Nov., same year. 

Joseph, Capt., b. 22 Sept., 1653; d. 6 Sept., 1740; m. Mary, dan. 
of Tristram CotBn, Esq., of Newbury, Mass., 31 Oct., 
1677. 

John, b. 28 July, 16.55; d. 20 July, 1072. 

Mose.^, b. 11 March, 1657; d. 8 March, 1691. 

Sarah, b. 24 Nov., 1661 ; m. Joseph llsley of Newbury, 3 March, 
1682. 
MosES^ (G-eorge^) lived on the homestead at Newbury. His es- 
tate was returned to probate court, 3 Nov., 1691, as 
amounting to £1065.6 ; m. Lydia, dau. of Tristram 
Coffin, Esq., of Newbury. 

John, b. 8 Jan., 1680; d. 25 March, 1753. 

Trhtram, b. 9 Dec, 1681; d. 11 Nov., 1765. 

5aro/i, b. 28 April, 1684; d. 10 Dec, 1710; m. Thomas Pil^e, 3 

Jan., 1710. 
3fary, b. 13 Jan., 1686; m. Col. Joseph Gerrish, of Newbury; date 

of marriage pviblishment, 26 Feb., 1703-4. 
Elizabeth, h. 25 May, 1688 ; d. 17 March, 1719; ra. Anthony Morse, 

21 Jan., 1718. 
Moses, b. 26 Feb., 1691; d. 17 Oct., 1780; m. Sarah Jaques, 12 

Feb., 1716. 



GENEALOGICAL — LITTLE. 573 

Tristram^ (Moses,- George^) was a farmer. Tlie house which 
he erected on the paternal estate still stands, and is 
now the residence of William Little, Esq., town-clerk 
of Newhury ; m. Sarah, dan. of Henry Dole, of New- 
bury, Mass., 30 Oct., 1707, who was h. 12 Feb., 1689. 

Sarah, b. 6 Aug., 1708; m. James Noyes, 30 May, 1729; lived in 

Atkinson. 
Henri/, b. 31 Dec, 1710; m. Lydia Little, 7 Dec, 1738; d. Dec, 

1786. 
Samuel,h. 18 Feb., 1713; d. 29 Sept., 1792; m. Dorothy Noyes, 

18 Feb., 1736 ; lived in Atkinson. 
Appliia, baptized 1715; d. 1.5 Feb., 1713. 
Jane b. June, 1718; m. Eduuind Knight, 25 May, 1741. 
Elizabeth, b. 20 Nov., 1720; d. 15 April, 1818; m. Humphrey 

Noyes, 22 Nov., 1743; lived in Atkinson. 
Nathaniel, b- 24 May, 1723; d. before Louisburg, C. B., 13 Nov., 

1745. 
llichanlh. 6 June, 1725; d. 13 Feb., 1806; m. Jaue Noyes, 17 

Sept., 1754. 
Enoch, b. 21 May, 1728; d. at R., 21 Oct., 1816. 
3Iary, b. 4 Feb., 1731 ; d. young. 
John,h. 14 July, 1735; d. 25 Aug., 1800; m. Hannah Noyes, 27 

Oct., 1767.* 

E^'OCH■* (Tristram,^ ]\Ioses,- George^) lived near the "Upper 
Green," at Newbury, Mass., where liis first seven 
cliildren were born ; removed to Hampstead in April, 
1766, and to B. in April, 1774. At the age of 11 
years, while listening to the preaching of Whitefield 
in Newbnryport, he became a Christian, and united 
with the Old South church in that place, 7 Aug., 1773, 
while living at Hampstead. After his removal to B., 
until enfeebled by age, he went to Newbnryport every 
year (over 60 miles) to be present at the August com- 
munion. He m., 1st, Sarah Pettengill, of Newbury, 
Mass., 19 Feb., 1755, who was b. 6 Sept., 173:1, 
and d. 10 March, 1758 ; 2d, Hannah Hovey, of New- 
bur}^, Mass., 5 June, 1759, who was b. 27 Feb., 1734, 
and d. 15 March, 1801. [See Biog.] 
Children of Sarah : 

Friend, b. 19 Jan., 1756; d. 19 Nov., 1836. 

Mary, b. 19 Sept., 1757; d. 25 July, 18o7 ; m. David Burbank, of 
B., 20 April, 1778. 

Children of Hannah : 
Benjamin, b. 13 April, 1760; d. 30 Aug., 1846. 
Joseph, b. 30 May, 1761; d. 26 March, 1843. 

*In giving tlie families of Geoege.i Moses,^ and Tristkaji,-' tlie compiler ia 
greatly indebted to the "Geuealogy of tlie Little Family," by George T. Little, pub- 
lished ill 1877. 



574 GENEALOGICAL LITTLE. 

Enoch, b. 17 Jan., 1708; d. 31 March, 1848. 

Hannah, b. 3 Sept., 17G4 ; d. 17 Oct., 1764. 

Noah, b. 1 Nov., 1765 ; d. in Cass county, Mich., 14 Aug., 1837. 

Jesse, b. 30 July, 1767; d. 19 Aug., 1840. 

Phehe, b. 19 Feb., 1769; d. 7 June, 1769. 

Sarah llsley,h. 2i) April, 1770; d. 10 Dec, 1836; m. Moses Ger- 

rish, of B. 
John H., b. 12 March, 1772; d. 29 Au<?., 1773. 
Hannah, b. 10 April, 1775; d. 4 Nov., 18 11; m. Moses Coffin, of B., 

25 Dec, 1792, who was b. at Newbury, Mass., 9 Sept., 

17G7, and d. at Salisbury, 3 Feb., 1843. 

Fkiend^ (Enoch,* Tristram^) lived on Little hill, then at Bashan, 
in B. ; a soldier of the Revolution ; was at the battle 
of Bennington ; brought the first apple-trees to Little 
hill; m. Mary Couch, G Feb., 1781. 

Sa7nuel, b. 7 Dec, 1781; d. 24 Aug., 1840. 

Moses, h. Nov., 1783; d. 5 June, 1871. 

Salli/, b. 12 Sept., 1785; d. 4 Aug., 1869; m. Wni. Couch, of Hop- 
kinton, 12 May, 1836. 

Joseph, h. 1 Aug., 1787 ; d. 28 Oct., 1847. 

Judith, b. 4 April, 1789; d. 29 April, 1858; m. Stephen Sweatt, of 
B., 1 March, 1814, who d. at Pittsfield, 11 Dec, 1851. 

Mary, b. 19 Sept., 1791; d. 26 Nov., 1869. 

Hannah, h. 24 April, 1798; ni. i\.sa Kimball, of Ilopkinton, 30 
Dec, 1819. 

Benjamin,^ Capt. (Enoch,* Tristram^), lived on the homestead ; 
at the age of 17 was a soldier in the battle of Ben- 
nington He was a man of sound judgment, and pos- 
sessed in a high degree the confidence of his fellow- 
citizens, being chosen selectman eight years, and 
representative four years ; was the fifth man in town 
to receive a magistrate's commission. Married, 1st, 
Rhoda Bartlett, of Warner, 25 Nov., 1790, who was 
b. 13 April, 1768, and d. 27 Aug., 1814. She was 
niece of Dr. Josiah Bartlett, of Kingston, a signer of 
the Declaration of Independence, and first governor 
of N. H. nnder its free constitution. Married, 2d, 
Persis Herbert, of Concord, 5 March, 1816. 

Children of Ehoda : 
Richard, b. 27 Nov.. 1791; d. 29 Oct.. 1840. 
John, b. 30 June, 1794; d. 17 Jan.. 1797. 
Simeon Bartlett, b. 16 Dec, 1797; d. 29 Dec, 1874. 
Rhoda, b. 14 April, 1801; d. at Windham, 15 Aug., 1852; m. Rev._ 

Calvin Cutler, 3 June, 1824, who was a beloved pastor of 

the Presbyterian church at "Windham for many years. 

Carrol Cutler, president of "Western Reserve college, is 

their son. 
Charles Herbert, Rev., b. 5 Dec, 1804; d. 1 Jan., 1836. [See 

Biog.] 



GENEALOGICAL LITTLE. 575 

Joseph,^ Lieut. (Enocli,* Tristram^), lived on Little hill; was a 
soldier of the Revolution ; enlisted on his seventeenth 
birthday in Capt. Spnrr's company, Col. Nixon's regi- 
ment, Mass. Line ; served nine months ; also two 
other terms of two months each ; was with Washing- 
ton at White Plains ; was stationed at West Point at 
the time of Arnold's treason, and saw Andre led to 
execution. Married Anna, dan. of Rev. Robie and 
Elizabetli Morrill, of B., 30 Nov., 1784, who was b. 20 
Oct., 1763, and d. 17 Nov., 1839. 

Elba, b. 7 April, 1787; d. 17 Feb., 1835. 

Phebe, b. 26 Jan., 1789; d. 8 Dec, 18.¥), at Rochester, N. Y. 

Jane, b. 23 Aug., 1791; d. 21 Feb., 1836, at Jerseyville, 111. ; m. 

Rev. Amos P. Brown, of Campton, 11 Feb., 1817, who was 

afterwards missionary in the VVest for many years, and d. 

at Riishville. 111.. 16 April, 1859, aged 67. 
Jeremiah, b. 1 Sept., 1794; d. 5 April, 1853, at Rochester. N. Y. 
Sarah, h. 18 April, 1800; d. 30 Sept., 18.56, at Rochester, N. Y. 
Caroline, b. 8 June, 1803 ; resides with her nephew. Rev. John M. 

Brown, at Highland, Doniphan county, Kansas. 

Enoch,^ Dea. (Enoch," Tristram^), lived on Little hill ; m. Polly, 
dau. of Capt. James Noyes, of Atkinson, 30 Nov, 
1790, who was b. 15 March, 1771, and d. 14 July, 
1833. [See Biog.] 

Hennj, b. 1 Jan., 1792; d. 29 April, 1838, at Peoria, III. 

Jane, b. 1 June, 1796; d. 27 Oct., 1796. 

Poll}/, b. 11 Nov., 1797; d. 3 Feb., 1820. 

Jane, h. 2 Feb., 1800 ; d. 9 April, 1877 ; m. Dea. Jeremiah Gerrish, 

of B., 8 March, 1821. 
Enoch, b. 8 Nov., 1802; d. 13 Oct., 1875. 
James, b. 3 Aug., 1804 ; d. 8 Sept., 1836 ; m. Mary Gerrish, of B., 

15 Dec, 1829; removed to New Buffalo, Mich., in 1835. 

NoAH^ (Enoch,* Tristram^) lived in B. for a time, then at the 
" Gore," in Warner ; was a man of observation and 
intelligence ; travelled extensively through various 
states of the Union ; m. Ascenath Elliot, of B., who 
d. 8 June, 1808, aged 41. 

John, b. in B. 19 March, 1788 ; d. 11 Sept., 1832. 

Elsey, b. 9 Oct., 1789; m. Samuel Wells, of Warner; lived there, 
also at Lisbon, where she d. about 1830. 

Silas, h. 29 Jan., 1791 ; settled at Cleveland, O.: d. 22 May, 1821; 
ni. Adelia Doan, who d. in 1820; had four children, who 
d. young. 

Enoch,h. 11 Sept., 1796; d. about 1824; was a hatter; removed 
to the state of N. Y. ; m. and had one child, who d. in 
infancy. 

Laura, b. 23 June, 1799; d. 25 Aug., 1838. 

David, b. 11 Oct., 1801 ; d. 13 May, 1875, in Adams county, Iowa. 



576 GENEALOGICAL — LITTLE. 

Hannah Lucia, b. 25 Aug., 1803; d. 1 March, 184:6 ; m. Joseph 

Story, April, 1826 ; Hved at Bashan. 
Harriet, b. 25 May, 1806; m. Richard Webber, of B., 24 ^sTov., 

1829; who d. 11 March, 1835, aged 30. 

Jesse'^ (Enoch,* Tristram^) built and resided in the house on Lit- 
tle hill now owned by Hiram Clifford ; was a consist- 
ent Christian and good citizen, beloved and respected 
by all ; was a good thinker, and his mind was a store- 
house of useful and entertaining information. He m. 
Martha, dau. of Col. Henry Gerrish, of B., who was b. 
14 May, 1777, and d. at New Buffalo, Mich., 28 
Aug., 1855. 

Jacol), b. 1 May, 1795; d. at Wabash, Ind., 17 Dec, 187G. 

John, b. 25 Nov., 1796; d. 15 Feb., 1829. 

Sumn,\). 23 March, 1798; m., 1st, Henry Little, of B.. 7 Dec. 
1815; 2d, Dea. Timothy M. Rose, of Granville, O., 28 
April, 1858. 

Henry, b. 23 March, 1800. 

Thomas, b. 2 Jan., 1802; d. at West Creek, Ind., 19 Aug., 1877. 

Martha, b. 2 June, 1803; m. Dea. Joseph Pillsbury, of B., 19 May, 
1825. 

Leavitt C, b. 24 Feb., 1805; d. at Buffiilo, N. Y., 23 March, 1S5L 

Infant son.b. 13 and d. 15 March, 1807. 

Emma, b. 1 May, 1808; d. in Belpre. O., 11 Aug., 1830; m. Addi- 
son Kingsbury, d. d., of North Coventry, Ct., 27 April, 
1830. 

Sarah G., b. 7 Aug., 1810; in. Rev. Ilervey O. Higley, of Castle- 
ton, Vt., 29 Sept., 1829. who was b. 14 July, 1801, and 
d. 4 April, 1878. Prof. E. H. Iligley, of Middlebury col- 
lege, is their son. 

Samuel^ (Friend,^ Enoch*) was a surveyor; justice of the peace ; 
succeeded Dea. Enoch Little, Sen., as chorister, and 
led the choir at West B. 20 years ; m. Sally Couch, of 
B., 23 June, 1811, who d. 7 June, 1852. 

Hiram C, b. 19 Feb., 1813; d. 4 Dec, 1869. 

Rhoda B., b. 16 July, 1815 ; d. 21 July, 1822. 

Samuelh. 29 Nov., 1817. 

Sarah P., b. 2 June, 1820 ; m. Jonathan K. Pillsbury. 21 Nov., 
1850. 

Joseph C, b. 21 April, 1822 ; d. 29 Dec. 1850. 

Mary, b. 8 Aug., 1826 ; d. 21 June, 1853; ni. Albe Cady Sweatt, 
of B., 17 May, 1849. 

Enoch C b. 16 July, 1829; d. in San Francisco, Cal., 16 Jan., 
1870. 

MoSES^ (Eriend,^ Enoch*) was a farmer; resided for a time at B., 
and d. there ; m. Sally Call, of Warner, 15 Jan., 1818, 
who was b. 24 July, 1787, and cl. 28 Sept., 1866. 

Mary C, b. at B., 9 Dec, 1819 ; d. 3 Oct., 1851; m. Capt. Hiram 
Scribner, of Salisbury, 14 Nov., 1849. 

Moses C, b. 11 June, 1824. 




<c/y^ 



Q/yflyt^'^T-^^^/'^ 



^C'x^tX^- 



GENEALOGICAL — LITTLE. 67T 

Joseph^ (Friend,^ Enocli^) lived on the homestead at Bashan ; 
was a farmer ; m. Sarah Burns Seavy, of Milford (a 
second cousin of Robert Burns, the Scottish poet), 12 
March, 1812, wlio was b. 28 Jan., 1786, and d. 22 
June, 1869. 

AdaUne T., b. 19 Jan., 1813; m. William Trussell, of B., 27 June, 

1850. 
Man/ S., b. 6 and d. 23 Feb., 1811. 
JosJi'ua P., b. 31 May, 1815; d. lU April, 1818. 
Joshua P.,b. 23 June, 1819; d. 20 Nov., 1850. 
Charks B., b. 26 June, 1822. 

Richard,^ Capt. (Benjamin,^ Capt., Enoch*), resided on Little 
hill; an officer in the war of 1812; was stationed at 
Portsmouth in 1814. He was a man of few words, 
but of clear thoughts and decided convictions ; was a 
faithful friend, a valuable citizen, and a consistent 
Christian man. Married, 1st, Priscilla Plumer, of B., 
7 Dec, 1815 ; 2d, Mary C. Pillsbury, of B., 22 May, 
1827. 
Children of Priscilla : 

Rlioda £., b. 9 Dec, 1810; m. Rev. John Gerrish, of St. Armand, 
L. C, 11 Jan., 1837. 

Bitfield Plumer, b. 15 Auo;.. 1818; d. at Brandy Camp, Elk county, 
Pa., 2 May, 1863.' 

Ephrabn, b. 11 Api'il, 1820 ; lived on Pleasant st. ; present resi- 
dence near tlie Blackwater, on the farm formerly owned 
by Nathan Pearson, in Webster; ra. Jane (b-ey, youngest 
dan. of Col. John Farmer, of B., 22 Dec, 1817, who was 
b. 7 June, 1828, and d. 27 June, 1867. 

Lurana C, b. 30 June, 1822; d. 15 Nov., 1813. 

Charles, b. 13 Jan., 1825; d. 9 Oct., 1835. 

Children of Mary : 

Calvin, h. 29 Feb., 1828; resides on the homestead. Though only 
12 years of age at his father's decease, after the first year 
he took charge of the farm and managed it with succe.ss, 
greatly assisting his younger brothers and sisters in ac- 
quiring an education, and getting a start in life. 

Levi, b. 18 July, 1830. 

Horace, b. 17 Sept., 1832. 

Emihj, b. 10 Jan., 1835 ; d. 3 Dec, 1817. 

Charles, b. U Feb., 1837; d. 16 Nov., 18G9 ; was a physician at 
Acton, Mass., and there m. Helen E., dau. of Harris Cow- 
drey, M. D., 11 June, 1866. [See Biog.] 

Priscilla, b. 30 Jan., 1839; grad. at Mt. llolyoke Seni. ; has been a 
successful teacher in N. E. and Pa. 

SiMEOX B.,*' Esq. (Benjamin,'^ Capt., Enoch*), lived on the home- 
stead, then on Corser hill, in Webster ; ra., 1st, Har- 
riet Boyd, of Antrim, 16 Sept., 1824, who was b. 17 



578 GENEALOGICAL — LITTLE. 

Sept., 1798, and d. 3 Oct., 1850 ; 2d, Phebe Kilburn, 
of B., 20 Oct., 1851. [See Biog.] 

Children of Harriet : 
George, b. 23 Aug., 1825. 
Alice, b. 30 Dec, 1829 ; d. 31 Oct., 1835. 
Narcissa^h. 25 Dec, 1831; d. 8 Feb., 1832. 
Eveline, b. 13 Dec, 1832. 
Sherman, b. 6 Feb., 1835. 



t'S; }^-24May,1837; \ , ,9 j^,^^ .g^g. 



Jeremiah^ (Joseph,^ Lieut., Enoch^) lived in B. ; was a merchant 
on Corser hill for several years ; removed to Roches- 
ter, N. Y., in Sept., 1830 ; m. Elizabeth, dan. of Capt. 
Joshua Pillsbury, of B., 5 March, 1816. 

Joshua P., b. 19 ISTov., 1817; d. 5 Feb., 1840; learned the printers' 
trade in Concord, and worked as journeyman in the States- 
man office. 

Hexry^ (Enoch,^ Dea., Enoch*) resided on the farm now owned 
by Capt. William D. George ; built the liouse after- 
wards occupied by Enoch Kilburn and John Shaw, 
which was burned 10 Nov., 1856 ; was a farmer, sur- 
veyor, and owned the saw-mill situated on the Knight 
meadow brooh ; was a school-teacher for several years, 
before and after marriage, in various towns in IST. H. 
and Mass. ; excelled as a player on the bass-viol ; was 
the first president of the Martin Luther Musical Soci- 
ety, and its secretary for many years ; removed West 
in Sept., 1835, and settled in Peoria, 111., May, 1836; 
was a genial, kind, and Christian gentleman ; m. Su- 
san, dau. of Jesse Little, of B., 7 Dec, 1815. 

Albert Gerrish, b. 27 Sept., 1817. 

Polly, b. 7 May, 1820 ; d. 6 March, 1821. 

Alfred, b. 3 June, 1823. [See Biocr.] 

Emma Kingsbury, h. 27 Sept., 1830; grad. at Granville Female 
college, O., in 1818 ; a faithful and succef5sful music 
teaclier; m. Rev. Joseph Little (son of Jacob Little, d. d.) 
15 Aug., 1854. 
Enoch,^ Dea. (Enoch,^ Dea., Enoch*), lived on the homestead; 
m. Apphia C, dau. of Lieut. Thomas Coffin, of B., 18 
Nov., 1829. [See Biog.] 

Mary Frances, b. 28 Jan., 1831 ; d. 15 June, 1849. 

Ellen, b. 27 Feb., 1833; d. 5 Oct., 1870: m. Dea. Francis B. Saw- 
yer, of Salisbury, 11 Sept., 1851, who was b. 14 April, 
1823. 

Henry Lyman, b. 28 March, 1835 ; d. 26 March, 1836. 

Louisa, b. 1 Dec, 1836; d. 19 April, 1866; m. Geo. Little, of B., 
29 Nov., 1855. 



GENEALOGICAL — LITTLE. 579 

JoHN^ (Noah,^ Enocli^) settled in Sanbornton ; lived, afterwards 
at Plymouth and Meredith ; m. Nancy Hoit, of San- 
bornton, who was b. 13 Ma}', 1797. 

Mary A. II., b. 5 March, 1S15 ; m. Ruel West, of Concord, 9 March, 

185i. 
John E., b. 11 March, 1817. 
Henry, b. 28 April, 1819. 

Harriet TF., b. IG April, 1822; d. 21 March, 1811. 
NoaKh. 31 May, 1821. 

Martha J., b. 29 July, 1827; d. 22 July, 1829. 
George TF., b. 21 Feb., 1830. 

David® (Noah,^ Enoch*) lived in Cleveland, 0., then in Cass coun- 
ty, Mich. ; removed thence to Minn., near Blue Earth 
City ; m. Mary Hulbert, of Granville, ()., 2 Aug., 
1825, who was b. in Vt., 13 Sept., 1801, and d. in 
Minn., 25 Aug., 1866. 

Jarne^, b. 9 Oct., 182(3 [1827?]; m. Ruth Pitts, of Elkhart, Ind.; 
resides in Adams county, Iowa. 

Alonzo G., b. 29 Marcii, 1829. 

Infant son., b. and d. in 1831. 

Eliza,}). 12 Sept., 1832; m. Thomas Fitzgerald, 11 Sept., 1856; 
residence near Avondale, Adams county, Iowa. 

Harriet, b. 2 Oct.. 1835 [183G?]; d. 1 April, 1857; m. James Dob- 
son, 2 Feb., 1851. 

Adaline, b. 30 June, 1838 ; m. James Dobson, 1 Dec, 18.59 [I860?]; 
resides at Winnebago City, Minn. 

Jacob,*' d. d. (Jesse,^ Enoch*) was pastor at Granville, Ohio, 37 
years ; m., 1st, Lucy, dau. of Capt. Joseph Gerrish, of 
Canterbury, 1 June, 1826 ; 2d, Ann D., dau. of Hon. 
T. M. Thompson, of Granville, 0., 23 March, 1836. 
[See Biog.] 
Children of Lucy : 

Joseph, Rev., b. 1 Nov., 1828 ; resides at Hanging Rock, O.; grad. 
at Western Reserve college in 1852 ; m. Emma K. Little, 
at Liverpool, 111., 15 Aug., 18.51*; grad. at Lane Theologi- 
cal Seminary, 10 May, 1860; was licensed to preach 13 
June, 1860, at Granville, O. He engaged in the Home 
]\Iissionary and Sabbath-school work, March, 1861, in the 
furnace regions of Lawrence county, O. ; entered the 
Union army 19 Nov., 1862, as chapbain of 5th Va. Vol. 
Infantry; subsequently of 1st West Va. Vol. Veterans, 
and continued Wd the close of the war in that capacity, till 
his regiment was discharged at Wheeling, W. Va. lu 
caring for the wounded and thirsty soldiers on the battle- 
field, in holding meetings and schools for them in camp, 
or in leading them in song with voice and melodeon, he 
proved himself to be a faitliful and efficient chaplain. 

Alfred, b. 3 Sept., 1831; d. near North Berne, Fairfield county, 
O., 21 May, 1865. 

George, b. 8 Oct., 1833; d. 22 Sept., 1831. 



580 GENEALOGICAL — LITTLE. 

Cliildren of Ann : 

Lucy A., b. 27 Oct., 1837; d. 8 Sept., 1838. 

George A., b. 6 March, 1839. 

William r., b. 27 Dec, 1810; d. 9 Oct., 18r)6. 

Lucy, b. 29 Jan., 1843; crrad. at Granville Female college, in 
18G2; m. James II., son of Hon. "William Williams, of 
Warsaw, Ind., 21 Dec, 1865; resides at Washington, 
D. C. 

Infent son, b. 21 and d. 28 Nov., 1811. 

Charles, Rev., b. 1 Dec, 1815; grad. at Marietta college, 20 June, 
1867 ; taught in public schools of that place two years; grad. 
at Lane Theo. Sem. 9 Mny, 1872; licensed by Athens 
Presbytery, July, 1871 ; ordained by Muncie Presbytery, 10 
April, 1878, and installed same year over the Presby- 
terian church in Wabash, Ind., of which he is now pastor, 
m. j^dyra M. Rico. 2 Sept., 1873, who d. 1 June, 1871. 

Mariha E., b. 23 Aug., 1819; d. 29 Dec, 1854. 

John*' (Jesse,''' Enoch'') was a clothier ; lived in Bristol ; m. 
Miriam Lovejoy, of Concord, 10 Sept., 1824, wlio d. 
8 Dec, 1865, aged 61. 

John A., h. 21 May, 1826 ; d. 31 Aug., 1810. 

Emma A., h. 5 June, 1828; m. -John L. Challis, of Mancliester, 27 
Oct., 1852; resides in Chicago. 
Henry/ d. d (Jesse, ^ Enocli^), is superintendent of missions for 
the state of Indiana; resides in jNEadison ; m., 19 Sept., 
1831, Susan Norton Smitli, of Hatfield, Mass., who 
was b. 22 May, 1810. [See Eiog.] 

Sarah M., b. 19 April, 1833. 

Joseph B., b. 25 Oct., 1835. 

Henrij S., h. 28 IMarch, 1837. 

George O., h. 2 May, 1839. 

Mary E., h. 6 Oct., 1811; grad. at the Western Female Seminary, 
Oxford, O., July, 1863; m. Joseph E., son of Leverett 
Griggs, I). D., of Bristol, Ct., 3 Jan., 1807. 

Cornelia, h. 10 Jan., 1844; grad. at the Western Female Seminary, 
O.xford, O., July, 1862; m. Rev. Leverett S.. son of Lev- 
erett Griggs, T>. I)., of Bristol, Ct., 13 July, 1861; resides 
in Terryville, Ct. 

Elizabeth F., b. 2 June, 1816. 

Charles IL, h. 20 Sept., 1848. 

Thomas/ Capt. (Jesse,^ Enocli*), lived on the homestead; re- 
moved to West Creek, Lak» county, Ind., in 1855 ; m. 
Myra, dau. of Capt. Joseph Ames, of B., 2 June, 1829, 
wlio d. 17 June, 1869. [See Biog.] 

Joseph A., h. 21 May, 1830. 
Sarah H., b. 29 Aug., 1833; d. 19 Feb., 1874. 
Lucy J., b. 30 March, 1837; m. Thomas H. Bouham, of Elizabeth- 
' town, O., 2 Aug., 1860. 



GENEALOGICAL LITTLE. 581 

Leavitt C.,'' Col. (Jesse,^ Enoch*), first commenced business with 
Philip H. Webster, in a store at Danbury ; afterwards 
established himself at Cincinnati, and was engaged for 
several years in selling patent scales in Ohio, Ind., 
and Ky. In 1837 he removed to Pa., and became res- 
iclent agent of the U. S. Land Co., of Boston, for a 
large tract of land situated in McKean and Elk coun- 
ties, remaining in that position through life. The 
village of Bradford, in which he built the first house, 
has recently become one of the principal oil cities of 
Pa. Col. L. took a prominent part in organizing the 
McKean County Agricultural Society, and was its 
first president. Foremost in every good word and 
work, in the church, Sabbath-school, and as a citizen, 
he will long be remembered with gratitude and affec- 
tion. He m. Lucy Jane, Avidow of Philip H. Web- 
ster, and dau. of Col. Timothy Dix, of B., 30 June, 
1837. 

Ellen, b. 6 ]\Iay, 1838; m. Emmctt Mix, of Columbus, O., 9 March, 
1805. 

Join S., b. 29 Dec, 1839. 

Susan, b. 15 Ancr., 1811; m. Rev. Chas. W. Wallace, of Jackson- 
town, O., 23 Dec, 1863; resides in Monroeville, O. 

Sarah G., b. 22 Sept., 1843; m. Robert Davis, of Mahomet, 111., 14 
Sept., 1876. 

Hiram C' (Samuel,Triend^) lived in Webster; m. there Nancy 
A. Kilborn, 20 Nov., 1856. 

Hiram P., d. 6 Dec, 1861, aged 4. 
Josrph A., b. 15 Sept., 1858. 
Mary E., b. 11 May, 1860. 

Samuel'^ (Samuel, '^ Friend^) is a farmer; resides in Webster; m. 
Jane S., widow of Lewis Sturtevant, 8 April, 1859. 
John P., b. 2G July, 1860. 

Enoch C^ (Samuel,'' Friend^) lived at Fisherville ; removed to 
California, Oct., 1867 ; m., 1st, Martha J. Sargent, of 
Hopkinton, 24 Nov., 1853, who d. 14 May, 1863 ; 2d, 
Betsey J. Jackman, of Franklin, Nov., 1864, who d. 
in San Francisco. 

Children of Martha : 

Alia Maria, b. 17 March, 1855 ; d. 29 June, 18C0. 
Addie M., b. 12 Oct., 1856; resides in Franklin. 
Helen E., b. 14 Sept., 1859; resides in Franklin. 

Child of Betsey : 

Mahel, b. 3 May, 1869; d. 17 Jan., 1870. 



582 GENEALOGICAL LITTLE, 

Moses C (Moses/ Erienc?) resides in Louisiana, Pike county, 
Mo. ; received an academic education. In the autumn 
of 1844, he commenced work in the engineering de- 
partment on the N. R. R., remaining there titl its 
completion ; was next employed in a survey of the 
Vt. Central R. R. ; went to Mo., March, 1850, and 
commenced engineering for the county of St. Louis, 
having charge of the new system of roads (plank and 
Macadam), continuing these improvements until 1858. 
In 1860 he accepted a position in the city engineer's 
office of St. Louis ; was superintendent of special 
work in the sewerage department, and built tlie largest 
sewer in the U. S ; remained in this position 7 years, 
and then received the appointment of road commis- 
sioner for Pike county, Mo. From 1869 to 1873 he 
was chief engineer of the Louisiana & Missouri River 
R. R. ; constructed 100 miles of the most difficult por- 
tion of the road, including one crossing of the Mis- 
souri river ; was also employed in other railroad work. 
Subsequently he was engaged in making plans and 
specifications, and doing contract work, on drainage 
and reservoirs for the State Lunatic Asylum at Ful- 
ton, Mo. He m. Julia N. Southard, of St. Louis. Mo., 
14 April, 1858. 

Willie M. C, b. 2 Mav, 1859; d. 27 Sept.. 1859. 
Man, J., h. 17 Aug., 18(32 ; d. 19 April, 1805. 
Annie, h. 20 Jan., 1874. 

Charles B.'^ (Joseph,® Friend^) lives on the homestead in Web- 
ster; m., 1st, Susan J. Smith, of B., 23 May, 1850, 
who d. 17 March, 1863 ; 2d, Emeline B. Harvey, of 
Hopkinton, 6 April, 1864. 

Children of Susan : 

Caleb P., b. 14 April, 1851. 
Adaline T., h. 26 March, 1853. 
George B., h. 12 June, 1855. 
Charles E., b. 10 June, 1858. 

Child of Emeline : 

Emma J., b. 8 March, 186G. 

Bitfield Plumer'' (Richard,® Capt,, Benjamin,^ Capt.) went to 
Pa. in 1840 as a surveyor, and settled at Brandy 
Camp, Elk county ; was afterwards land agent, anil 
extensively engaged in the lumber business ; m. 
Lydia A. Manson, of St. Armand, L. C, 4 Aug., 1854, 
who was b. 30 March, 1825. 





>^.,/^.,. 




GENEALOGICAL — LITTLE. 583 

i^rawciV, b. 3 Sept., 1855; ) at present date (1878), students in 
Elwln, I). 18 May, 1859; ^ Western Reserve college. 
Heber, b. 20 Sept., 1861. 

Levi,' Eev. (Eicliard,® Capt., Benjamin,^ Capt.), resides at Wa- 
quoit, Mass. ; grad. at Dartmoutli college in 1854, 
and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1857 ; was 
licensed to preach, by the Ilopkinton Association, in 
April, 185G ; ni. Susan A. Bourne, of Falmouth, Mass., 
5 Jan., 1860. 

Fuchard 77., b. 22 Dec, 1860. 

Andrew F.,h. 7 Nov., 1862. 

Dora, b. 13 Oct., 1864; d. 20 June, 1869. 

Edward A.,h. 15 Nov., 1866. 

Charles, b. 30 Nov., 1869. 

Edith M., b. 3 Jan., 1873. 

Ellen F.,h.-i Feb., 1875. 

Horace'^ (Richard,*' Capt., Benjamin,^ Capt.) resides in Eidge- 
way. Pa. ; m. Lucy A. Taylor, of Fox township, Elk 
county. Pa., 30 May, 1857. [See Biog.] 

ArOiur 7?., b. 22 March. 1858. 

Mary M., b. 15 March, 1861. 

Helen, b. 25 Sept., 1803. 

Benjamin P., b. 2 ]\Iay, 1868. 

Louise v., b. 3 Aug., 1873. 

Geokge' (Simeon B.,^ Benjamin,^ Capt,) is a merchant on 
Corser hill, Webster, in the store so long occupied 
by Hezekiah Fellows, Esq. ; m., 1st, Louisa, dan. 
of Dea. Enoch Little, of Webster, 29 Nov., 1855; 
2d, Sarah J., dan. of Dea. Jeremiah Gerrish, 19 Nov., 
1807 ; 3d, Lucy A. Sawyer, of Salisbury, 15 Oct., 
1873. 

Children of Louisa : 
Henry Z., b. 9 Aug., 1857. 
Luther B.,h. 7 July, 1859. 
Mary Alice, b. 21 May, 1861 . 
Charles H., h. 10 Oct., 1861 ; d. 8 May, 1865. 

Sherman'^ (Simeon B.,® Benjamin,^ Capt.) remains on the home- 
stead ; is a business man and influential citizen ; 
m. Mary A., dau. of Dea. Eldad Austin, of Webster, 
8 Sept., 1859. 

Harriet B., b. 30 Sept., 18G0. 

Arthur C. b. 22 April, 1862. 

Ellen A., h. 19 Aug., 1863. 

Mi/ra A., h. 11 June, 1865. 

John E.,b.2 March, 1867. 

Charles S., b. 12 Feb., 1869. 

Clara M., b. 6 June, 1872. 



684 GENEALOGICAL LITTLE. 

Arthue/ Rev. (Simeon B..® Benjamin,^ Capt.), grad. at Dart- 
mouth college in 18G0 ; stutlied theology at Ando- 
ver and Princeton ; received the appointment of chap- 
lain for the 1st Vt. Heavy Artillery, and was ordained 
for this office at Webster, 16 IMarch, 1863 ; was mus- 
tered out of service 7 July, 1865; commenced his min- 
istry over the Presbyterian church in Bedford, Oct., 
1865, and remained three years ; settled in Nov., 
1868, over the 1st Congregational church at Fond du 
Lac, Wis. ; was dismissed 12 Feb., 1878, and the same 
month became pastor of the N. E. Congregational 
church at Chicago, 111. ; m. Laura E., dau. of Benja- 
min Frost, of Thetford, Vt., 15 Aug., 1863. 
Mary Brant, b. 19 June, 1867. 

Albekt G? (Henry,^ Enoch,^ Dea.) first settled at Liverpool, and 
afterwards at Altona, Knox county. 111., where he now 
dwells ; is a carpenter, and dealer in musical instru- 
ments ; has been justice of the peace, and held vari- 
ous offices in town and county ; m., 1st, Deborah, dau. 
of Nehemiah and Margaret (Maxfield) Brush, of 
Lewistown, 111., 10 Kov., 1842, who was b. in Pa. in 
1821, and d. 11 April, 1850 ; 2d. Jane, dau. of Charles 
and Emeline Steel, at Liverpool, 111., 5 Dec, 1850, 
who was b. in Ind., 8 Oct., 1829. 

Children of Deborah : 

Caroline Amanda, b. 2 Nov., 184:3; m. Henry Loranz. treasurer of 
Page county, Iowa. 18 Feb., 1869; resides at Clarinda. 

Mary Emma, b. 4 Dec, 1841; grad. at Elm wood Institute, at B., 
Nov., 1863; m. Charles^M. Morton, State Sec. of Y. M. C 
Associations of 111., 4 Dec, 1866; resides in Chicago. 

Phebe,h. 3 April, 1816; grad. at Steubenville, O. ; ni. Jesse J. 
Pursell, 12 i\Iarch, 1872; resides at Brinifield, 111. 

Susan,h. 28 Feb., 1818; m. Charles Brush, of Haverhill, 0., 10 
June, 1875. 

Alice, b. 25 Aug., 1849; d. 25 July, 1850. 

Children of Jane : 

Henry, h. 23 Jan., 1852; d. 29 Feb., 1852. 

Mary Ellen, h. 10 Aug., 18.53; d. 21 Aug., 1854. 

Martha, b. 17 Dec, 1854; has been a successful music teacher in 

111. and Iowa. 
Charles Coffin, b. 23 May, 1856; d. 5 Oct., 1858. 
Ann Cora, b. 14 Feb., 1858 ; d. 30 Jan., 1859. 
Ella, b. 17 Dec, 1859. 
Jennie, b. 27 May, 1861. 

Charles Alfred, b. 4 Aug., 1864; d. 17 Aug., 1865. 
Olive, b. 24 Oct., 1865. 
Samrny S., h. 5 Jan., 1868; d. 26 July, 1868. 



GENEALOGICAL LITTLE. 585 

John EJ (Jolm,^ Noali^) resides in Lacouia ; m. Lettice A. Eob- 
inson, of Meredith Village, 4 Nov., 1843. 

Harriet W., b. 13 An<;., 1814; in. Osman Baker, of Ilolderness, 10 

March, 18G6. 
Nell)/ B., b. 8 Jan., 1851; m. Abraham Morrison, of Sanbornton, 

20 Sept., 1871; resides in Franklin. 
Mary E.,h. 20 Oct., 1854; ni. Frank Rollins, of Sanbornton, 6 

April, 1877. 
Nancy H.^ b. 5 June, 1857. 
Lettice R., h. 9 May, 1859. 

Hexey'^ (John,*' Noah^) resides in Concord ; m., 1st, Harriet S. 

Perkins, of that city, 24 Nov., 1846, who d. 16 Sept., 

1863; 2d, Hannah* B. Winch, of Marshiield, Vt., 24 

Nov., 1864. 
Children of Harriet : 

William H., b. 7 June, 1850. 

Addle G., b. 1 Aug., 1854. 

Harriet /., b. 3 Oct., 1858 ; m. Fred Sanborn, of Concord, 26 Nov., 

1876. 
Rose E., b. 13 March, 1863; d. 12 Aug., 1863. 

Noah'' (John,® Noah^) is a manufacturer and dealer in blank- 
books at Boston, Mass. ; m. Marv E., dan. of Capt. 
Nathan Call, of Concord, 31 May, 1846. 

George W., b. 23 March, 1847. 
Frank //., b. 16 Sept., 1852. 

George AV." (John,'' Noah^) resides in Phnnouth ; in. Helen H. 
Holden, of Kumney, 29 Nov., 1854. 
3Ielzena E., b. 17 Aug., 1856. 

Alonzo G.'^ (David,® Noah^) resides in Wichita, Sedgwick coun- 
ty, Kansas ; m. Jane Mitchell, near Elkhart, Ind., 16 
Nov., 1856. 

Albert A., b. 17 Aug., 1857. 

Emellne E., b. 7 Jan., 1860. 

Andrew D., b. 5 April, 1864. 

Clara J., h. 25 Oct., 1866. 

Charles 0., b. 25 Feb., 1876. 

Alfred,'' Dea. (Jacob,® d. d.. Jesse^) was teacher in common, 
academj', and high schools successively; also taught 
vocal and instrumental music ; m. Sarah C, dau. of 
Dea. Josepli Little, of Newbury, Mass., 31 July, 1855, 
who d. at Granville, 0., 25 March, 1863. 
Anna T., h. 19 June, 1856 ; resides in Newbury, Mass. 

George A.,'' Rev. (Jacob,® r>. c, Jesse^) enlisted in the spring of 
1862 ; was taken prisoner at Harj^er's Ferr}^, Va., 
same year ; grad. at Marietta college, 2 July, 1863, at 



586 ■ GENEALOGICAL LITTLE. 

Lane Theological Seminary, 1866 ; licensed to preach 
h}^ the Cincinnati Presbyter}^, 5 April, 1865 ; was or- 
dained in 1866, and preached one year at Massillon, 
0., and nearly seven years at Oconto, Wis. ; was set- 
tled over the Presbyterian church, at Plymouth, Ind., 
1 Dec , 1875 ; m. Sarah C. Dangler, of Massillon, 0., 
14 Kov., 1867. 

William,h. 10 Sept., 1808; d. 5 xVng., 1869. 

Mar7j B., b. 24 June, 1870 ; d. lo Oct., 1876. 

Frank, b. 25 Jan., 1873. 

Joseph P).,' Pvev. (Henry,'' d. d., Jesse^) grad. at Amherst college 
in 1860, at Lane Theological Seminary in 1863 ; was 
ordained at Madison, Ind., 8 Sept., 18(")3; is pastor of 
Presbyterian church, at ]Mankato, Minn. ; m. Mrs. 
Mary A. Cromwell, of Lima, 0., 27 Nov., 1866. 

Herman G., b. 26 Sept.. 1807 ; d. 19 July, 1868. 

George B., b. 4 May, 1869. 

Manj P., b. 18 Nov., 1871. 

Dajjton C, b. 28 Sept., 1873 ; d. Sept., 1871. 

Heney S.,' Rev. (Henry,*' d. d., Jesse^), grad. at Wabash college in 
1863, at Lane Theological Seminary in 1866 ; was or- 
dained at Rising Sun, Ind., 11 April, 1866 ; is pastor 
of the Presbyterian church at Carondelet, South St. 
Louis, Mo. ; m. Anna H , dan. of Rev. William H. 
McCarer, of Evansville, Ind., 29 May, 1866. 

Henry, b. 21 March, 1867. 

William il/., b. 5 Sept., 1868 ; d. 2 Feb., 1869. 

Sarah M., b. 21 Nov., 1869. 

Cornelia, b. 13 Sept., 1871; d. 5 Sept., 1872. 

Charles H.. b. 16 March, 1873 ; d. 30 May, 1874. 

Susan N.,h. 27 Dec, 1875. 

George 0.,'^ Rev. (Henry,'' d. d., Jesse^), grad. at Amherst col- 
lege in 1860, at Lane Theological Seminary in 1863 ; 
was ordained 8 Sept., of same year, at Madison, 
Ind. ; is pastor of the Assembly's church (Presby- 
terian) at Washington, D. C. ; m. Mattie H., dau. of 
Jetliro Mitchell, Esq., of Mt. Auburn, Cincinnati, 0., 
3 Sept., 1863. 

Arthur M., b. 10 April, 1865. 
Edward iV., b. 21 Sept., 1867. 
Norton M., b. 3 Jan., 1873. 
Edith, b. 11 Sept., 1874. 

Charles H.,' Rev. (Henry,^ d. d., Jesse^), grad. at Wabash coll. 
1870, and at Lane Theological Seminary in 1873 ; 
was ordained at Richmond, Ind., 8 April, 1874 ; is 



11 ^.^- >'* 







^& 



^..^■^ ' 



eLy^^ax^ 



GENEALOGICAL LITTLE. 587 

pastor of the 2d Presbyterian church, at New Albany, 
Ind. ; m. Lettie R., dau. of Tliomas W. Fry, M. D., of 
Lafayette, Ind., 23 Feb., 1873. 

Thomns W., b. 28 Oct., 1874. 

Charles F., b. 15 Dec, 1877. 

Joseph A.'' (Thonias,® Capt., Jesse^) is an extensive farmer and 
st<)ck-raiser at West Creek, Lake county, Ind. ; m. 
Mary, dau. of Abiel Gerrish, of West Creek, Ind., 1 
Nov., 1859. 

Lems &'., b. 21 Feb., 18G1. 

bifant dau., b. 20 Nov. and d. 30 Dec, 1862. 

James H.,b. 27 Nov., 1863. 

Ellen, h. 31 Jan., 1866. 

Jesse, b. 17 Jan., 1868. 

MyraA., h. 26 April, 1872. 

Mar// E., b. 4 April, 1877. 

JoHx Sullivan" (Leavitt,^ CoL, Jesse^) resides in Bradford, 
McKean county, Pa. ; ni. Louise H. Mathews, of 
Marshall, 111., 26 Aug., 1875. 
Dix M., b. 28 Nov., 1876. 

William H.^ (Henry,'^ John*') resides in Concord; m. Ida M. 
Vincent, 9 Dec, 1869. 
Frank B., h. 27 Sept., 1870. 
Willinm M., b. 30 May, 1872. 
Arthur W.,h. 9 April, 187-i. 
Cora M., b. 12 Feb., 1877. 

Frank II. ^ (Noah,^ John®) resides in South Boston, Mass.; ni. 
Lottie J, Pearson, of Boston, 8 Oct., 1864. 
George yilfred, b. 3 Aug., 1875. 
Jennie C, b. 30 Nov., 1876. 



588 GENEALOGICAL — MORRILL, 



MOEKILL. 

Abraham^ came from England in 1632. 

Isaac,- b. 10 May, 1646; d. 17 Oct., 1713. 

Abraham,^ b. 21 June, 1671. 

Abraham,* b. 22 Nov., 1705 ; d. at Salisbury, ^lass. 

EoBiE,^ b. 28 Aug., 1734 ; grad. at Harvard coll. 1755 ; ordained 
minister of B. 27 Dec, 1761 [see Biog.] ; m. Elizabeth 
Hobson ; d. 13 Sept., 1813. 

Samuel^ b. at Salisbury, ]Mas?.; d. in B., 14 Oct., 1816. 
Elizabeth, b. 31 July, 176'2; in. Wm. Jacknian, of B. 
Anna, b. 20 Oct., 17(3o: m. Joseph Little, of B. ; d. 17 Nov., 1839. 
Joseph Hobson, h. 15 June, 1765; m. Anna Jackinan; d. 4 June, 

1858. 
Jeremiah, b. 18 Jan., 1775. 
Sallij, b. 30 May, 1777 ; d. 20 April, 1859. 
Jane, b. 26 Dec, 1768; d. 30 Sept., 1832. 

Samuel,^ (Robie^), b. 5 Jan., 1761. 

Belsey M., b. 8 March, 1787; ni. James Chadwick, of B.; d. 17 

Nov., 1851. 
Eunice, b. 4 April, 1788; d. 19 March, 1828. 
Nathaniel, b. 8 Sept., 1789. 
Judith, b. 13 Dec, 1792; m. Joseph Chadwick, of B.; d. 12 March, 

1821. 
Benjamin, b. 16 Jan., 1794. 
Anna Hobson, h. 11 Sept., 1797 ; ni. Dr. Merrill, Ilopkin- 

ton, Mass. 

Joseph H.*' (Robie,^ Rev.), b. 15 Jan., 1765 ; m., 1st, At- 
kinson ; 2d, — Lunt ; d. 21 March. 1858. 

Joseph, b. 23 May, 1793. 

Judith, b. 29 Nov., 1797; m. Nehemiah Cogswell; d. 19 Nov., 1810. 
Calcin, b. 6 Dec, 1805; m. Mary Clark, of B.; d. in AVebster, 14 
May, 1875. 

Jeremiah'^ (Robie,^ Rev.), b. 18 Jan., 1875 ; m. Anna Jackman ; 
d. 4 June, 1858. 
Nancy, b. 9 Oct., 1800; m. Moses Foster, of Canterbury. 

Reuben Prentice, b. 12 April, 1808; ni. Forbes. 

Harrison Otis, b. 20 May, 1810. 

Marij, b. 11 Dec, 1812; ui. Sewell Fifield. 

Roger Sherman, b. 25 Dec, 1815; d. 9 Sept., 18G1. 

I^ATHAXiEL^ (Samuel,^ Robie,^ Rev.), b. 8 Sept., 1789 ; m. 

Morrill ; lived in Canterbury. 

Mary Emily, b. 3 March, 1821; m. Fitts ; d. 23 Oct., 1845. 

Catherine, b. 27 Aug., 1823; d. 14 Oct., 1841. 
Reuben, b. 11 May, 1825. • 



GENEALOGICAL — MORRILL. 589 

Samuel Atldnson, h. 26 May, 1827. 

Charles Franklin, b. 27 May, 1829. 

E72och, b. 16 Sept., 18:33. 

Elizabeth C, b. 7 March, 1831; d. 24 April, 1832. 

Benjamin^ (Samuel,« Robie,^ Rev.), b. 16 Jan.. 1794 ; m., 1st, 

Eastman ; 2cl, Clioat, of Deny ; lived on 

B. Plain, in bouse owned by S. B. G. Corscr, also in 
tbe house erected by bis grandfather, Rev. Robie. He 
was a clock- and scale-maker, — a man of great ingenu- 
ity. At one time — about 1840, '45 — he manufactured 
melodeons and seraphines. He d. 21 April, 1857. 

Lua-elia, dau. 1st wife, m. Donaldson ; lives in 111. 

Franklin C, b. ]\Iarcli, 1835. 

Manj Frances, b. 2-1 Aug., 1843. 

Joseph^ (Joseph H.,*^ Robie,^ Rev.), b. 23 May, 1793 ; m. 

Lunt ; d. 5 Jan., 1844. He taught school many years ; 

was representative two years; an earnest Christian; 

for many years superintendent of Sunday-school ; 

lived on the Plain with his father. 
Mary TF., b. 1819; d. 27 Nov., 1835. 
Enoch Lunt, b. 9 Oct.. 1820. 
Joseph Hobson, b. 15 June, 1828. 

Enoch L.^ (Joseph,^ Joseph H.,«^ Robie,^ Rev.), b. 9 Oct., 1820 ; 
m. Susannah Coffin ; d. 2 Dec, 1874. 
Emma Adelaide, h. 1818; d. 1851. 
Elizabeth, b. 11 June, 1850. 
Edward P., b. 9 April, 1852. 
Envmdtee, d. in infancy. 
Malvina, d. in infancy. 
Elmer F., b. 2 Dec, 1861; resides in ]Manchester. 

Joseph Hobson^ (Joseph,'^ Joseph H.,*' Robie,^ Rev.), b. 15 
June, 1828 ; m. 0. A. Munroe ; lives in Concord. 
Marij Ella, b. Sept., 1854. 

Harrison O.'' (Jeremiah,^ Robie,^ Rev.), b. 30 May, 1818 ; m. 

Richardson. 

William^ Emma, Edward. Everett. 

Reuben P.^ (Jeremiah'') m. Forbes. 

Warren, Jeremiah. 



590 GENEALOGICAL MORRISON, NOYES. 

MORRISON. 

Compiled by Abiel R. Chandler. 

JoHX H.- (Abner^), b. in Derry, 4 June, 1779 ; m. Maiy, dan. of 
David Paul, of Deny ; settled in B. just below the 
Plain, in 1803 ; d. 11 Aug., 1858. His wife d. 14 
July, 1863. 

Mary Holmes, b. 27 Jan., 1802; d. 11 Oct., 1812. 

Eliza Jane, h. 1 Oct., 1803; m., 1829, Abiel W. Chandler, of B. 

[See Chandler Biog.] 
George, h. 15 Dec, 18U5 : m. Sally Randall, of Great Falls; d. 1 

Feb., 18GU. 
Leonard, b. 7 Oct., 1807: m. Sally Cole, of B. 
Persis, b. 5 Oct., 1800; m. Edward B. Kimball, of Hanover, and 

settled in Qoincy, 111. 
]\Iar)/,h. 6 Jan., 1812; m, Charles Stoby, of Quincy, 111.; d. 21 

Aug., 1876. 
Sylcia Ann, b. 13 Dec, 1813; m. Charles Ford, of Brookliue, 

Mass.; d. 1 Sept., 1875. 
Louisa Maria, b. 26 Jan., 1816 ; m. Jonathan P. Howe, of B. 
John Sherman, b. 19 Jan., 1819 ; d. 9 March, 1819. 

Samuel Wood, ). ,,. Anril 18O0- ^ ^- ^^^^' -'^^^'^■ 
Nancy Wingate, \^- ^'^ ^P"^''' ^^"^ ' j d. 3 May, 1820. 

NOYES. 

Compiled by William Temple. 

Nicholas^ and Rev, James, brothers, came from Wiltshire, Eng., 
1638, and were among the first settlers of Newbury. 
The B. branch is descended from Nicholas, who had 
a son, — 

Timothy,- who had a son, — 

James,^ m. Sarah Coffin, of Ne\vbur3\ 
Isaac, b. 14 July, 1719. 
Daniel, b. 30 Jan., 1723; — perhaps others. 

Isaac* (James^), b. 14 July, 1719 ; m. Sarah Pettingill, 24 Nov., 
1743 ; moved to B., 1768. 
Cutting, b. 2 June, 1745. 
Amos, b. 19 Feb., 1749. 
Elizabeth, h. 7 July, 1750. 
Sarah, b. 2 May, 1755. 

Cutting" (Isaac,* James,^ Timothy,- Nicholas^), b. in Newbury, 
2 June, 1745 ; came with his father to B. ; settled on 
farm owned in 1876 by L. M. Chadwick, Esq. ; m. 
Molly Burbanlv ; was elected selectman, 1776, '77, '78, 
'81, '88 ; elected deacon of the church, 1786 ; moved 
to Newport, 1794. 



GENEALOGICAL NOYES. 591 

Isaac, b. 15 Aug., 1772. 
Moses, b. 21 Dec, 1774. 
Sarah, b. 8 Oct., 1776. 
Samuel Muzzt/, b. 21 Aug., 1778. 
Judilh, b. 16 Mav, ]78[). 
Dorcas, b. 17 Feb., 1782. 
Amos, b. 19 Dec, 1783. 
Enoch, h. 16 Nov.. 1785. 
Benjamin, b. 9 June, 1787. 
Abigail, b. 20 Jan., 1793. 

Dan^iel^ (Jnmes,^ Timothy,- Nicliolas^), b. in Newbury, 30 Jan., 
1723 ; came to B.. 17G1 ; lived on the farm occupied 
at one period by Mr. Solomon Arey, — hxter by Daniel 
Flint; ra. Anna Chase, of Haverhill, Mass., 1745. 

Marij, b. 15 April, 174(i ; la. Nicliolas Davis; d. 10 June, 1829. 

Joanna, b. 27 March, 1710; m. Richard Carr. 

Sarah, b. 29 IMarch, 1752; d. young. 

James, b. 22 May, 1751; d. young. 

Tristram, b. 7 March. 1759. 

Isaac, b. 19 June, 1702; m., 1st, Phebe Goodwin; 2(1, Mrs. Sarah 
Boardman; d. 9 April, 184]. 

Daniel, b. 26 Jan., 1705; ni. Polly Marston; d. 21 Jan., 1852 ; stud- 
ied medicine with Dr. Daniel Peterson, of B. ; settled in 
Enfield; moved to O. 

Tristram^ (Daniel, ■* James'^), b. 7 March, 1759 ; m. Miriam East- 
man, of Salisbury, Mass. He was a carpenter and 
plow-maker, — an ingenious mechanic; d. Aug., 1824. 
Ilanj, b. 20 Aug., 1785; m. Peter King; d. 28 Aug., 18G6. 
Jeremiah, b. 28 JNlarcIi, 1788. 

Jane,h. 28 Jan., 179U; m., 1st, Eben Hall; 2d, Isaac Atwood; d. 
2 Feb., 1857. 
, Cltasch. 8 Feb., 1792; m. Nancy Kempton ; d. May, 1862. 
Nanct), b. 14 March, 1794; d. young. 

Buth, b. 25 Aug-., 1790 ; m. Jabez Ilannaford; d. 14 Aug., 1800. 
Enoch, b. 10 Jan., 1799 ; d. 10 Sept., 1819. 
Marif, m. Obed Kempton. 
' Susanna, h. 4 Dec. 18 Jo; m. Wm. Temple; living, 1870, at East 
Woburn, Mass. 

Jeremiah^ (Tristram,^ DanieP), b. 28 March, 178S ; m. Martha 
Jackman ; lived in house occupied by Prentis Fowler, 
1876, south end King st. ; surveyor, wheelwright ; in- 
heritor of his father's mechanical ingenuity ; select- 
man ; justice of the peace ; d. 7 Nov., 1868. 

Martha L., b. 6 June, 1812; d. 15 Sept., 1836. 

Sarah Jackman, b. 1 Sept., 1815; m. Moody M Pinkertou. 

Mary King, b. 22 Sept., 1817. 

Enoch Russell, h. 27 April, 1820. 

Esther Jackman, h. 6 Jan., 1823; m. Geo. Allison. 

Samuel Gilman, b. 12 Oct., 1827; ra. Achsah J. Brown. 



592 GENEALOGICAL PEARSON. 

Ephraim,^ another brancli of the Noyes family, h. in ISTewbuiy ; 
m. Molly, sister of Nathaniel Thurston, of B. ; settled 
on Corser hill ; d. 13 May, 1856, aged 92. 

Jane Pearson, b. 5 Oct., 1796; d. 20 Sept., 1819. 

Elizabeth IF., b. 9 Aucr., 1798. 

Edna Adams, b. 13 May, 1801. 

Judith Stickneij, b. 20 Aug., 1803 ; ra. Whicher, of Rowley. 

Nicholas Moodij^h. 24 Oct., 1806; m. Phebe Kelley; one son, — 
IIe7irij. 

PEAESO:^T. 

JoHN^ came from England to Eowley, Mass., in 1643 or 1645, 
and erected a mill for dressing cloth. 

Benjamin- (John^), b. 1648 ; m. Hannah, dan. of Daniel 
and Anne (Pell) Thurston. 

Benjamin,^ fourth child of Benjamin,- b. 12 Aug., 1690 ; m. 
Dorothy Moody. 
Isaac. 
Jeremiah. 

Isaac," Dea., b. 21 Oct., 1728; m., 1st, 28 Nov., 1751, Sarah 
Gerrish, who d. 16 JMarch, 1773, aged 44 years ; 2d, 
Anna Plumer, 11 Jan., 1774, who d. 2 April, 1789, 
without issue ; 3d, Mary Eaton, 1789, who d. 30 
March, 1848, aged 96, without issue. He was chosen 
deacon of the church of B. about the year 1770 ; was 
also elected deacon of the church in the east part of the 
town in the year 1786 ; d. 8 March, 1805, aged 77. 

Children of Sarah : 

Moses, b. 21 Nov., 1752; d. 8 Dec, 1752. 

Mary Elisehelh^h. 3 Oct., 1753; in. Mnj. Enoch Gerrish. 

Joseph, b. 17 Aug., 1755; m. Hannah Atkinson; moved to Haver- 
hill, N. H. 

Jane, b. 1 Dec, 1757 ; d. 20 May, 1758. • 

Jane, b. 10 ]\Iay, 1759; d. 4 July, 1759. 

Isaac, b. 7 Aug., 1760; m. Sarah Allison; Uved in Northfield; d. 
without issue. 

Somershy, h. 27 Aug., 1763. 

Moses, h. 12 Dec, 1705; d. 31 Jan., 1767. 

SOMERSBY,^ Capt. (Isaac," Dea.), b. 27 Aug., 1763; d. 12 July, 
1811, aged 48 ; m. Judith, dan. of Joshua and Ee- 
beeca (Gerrish) March, who d. 9 Dec, 1820, aged 50. 

Isaac, h. 14 May, 1792. 

Mary, b. 7 April, 1794; m. John Cogswell; d. 5 April, 1823, aged 

29. 
Rebecca, b. 1799; d. 4 May, 1812, aged 13. 
Judith, b. 18u3; d. 17 April, 1819, aged 16. 



GENEALOGICAL — PEARSON. 



593 



IsAAC« (Somersby,5 Q^^pt.), b- 14 May, 1792 ; d. 4 March, 1824, 
a^'ed 32 years ; m. Hannah, dau. of Major Enoch 
Gerrisli, 1 June, 1814, who d. 29 Jan., 182i. 

Rebecca, b. 12 Nov., ISL); d. 22 .July, 18ii; m. Calvin Gage, of 
B.; children, — Hannah Pearxnn, b. 13 June, lSo6; d. 5 
July, 1852, aged 16; Mariha Ann, b. 10 May, 1840; d. 19 
July, 184(3. 

The family of Capt. Somersby Pearson is extinct. 

Jeremiah'* (Benjamin,^ Benjamin,'-^ John^) m. Elizabeth Pearson. 

Nathan, b. 17G(). 
Samuel, h. 28 Nov., 1771. 
Poll//, m. Paul Dodge. 

Kathan^ (Jeremiah^) m. Elisabeth Thurlow ; d. Jan., 1850 ; 
moved to B. from Xewbury, Mass., 1795. 

Poll//, h. 17 July, 1787; m. Isaac Ilale; d. 14 Nov., 18(35. 
Betsey, b. 25 April. 1790 ; m. Isaac Hale ; d. 9 Jan., 1832. 
Paul, b. 10 July, 1792; d. 27 Sept., 1797. 
Paul, b. 19 Oct., 1798. 
Nathan, b. 22 Sept., 1802. 

Samuel^ (Jeremiah*), b. 28 Nov., 1771; m. Mary B. Lane; 
moved to B. from Newbury, 179G; d. 20 Nov., 1843. 
Annie, b. G Sept., 1797; d. 27 Jan., 1800. 
Lyilia, b. 24 July, 1799 ; d. 11 Dec. 1800. 
Annie, b. 14 March, 1802 ; d. 9 April, 1804. 
Man/, b. 23 Nov., 1805: m. Plunimer R. Stevens. 
Nanc/i, b. 25 Jan., 1808; d. 20 Nov., 1856. 

Paul^ (Nathan,^ Jeremiah*) m. Sarah Couch ; member of the 
legislature 1856, 1857. 
William, b. 5 March, 1827. 
Charles, b. 17 Aug., 1829. 

Sarah J., b. 22 Dec, 1835; m. Henry II. Gerrish. 
Henry F., b. 23 July, 1839. 

Nathax'^ (Nathan^) m. Eliza Couch, d. 12 Oct., 1SG8 [see Biog.] 

John C.,h. 25 May, 1835. 
William'^ (Paul®) m. Rebecca Corser. . 

Clara, b. 3 Jan., 1859 ; d. 22 June, 1859. 

Charles, b. 23 April, 1861. 

Charles'' (PauP) m. Eanny Prescott ; d. March, 1856. 
Lizzie F., b. 18 Jan., 18.53; ra. D. B. Badger, of Boston. 

Henry F.'' (PauP) m. Henrietta Bills. 
Edwin H., b. 9 Feb., 1863. 
George L., b. 34 March, 1865. 
Jessie E.,^. 30 July, 1869. 
Henry F.,}^.^ Oct., 1873. 
Henrietta, ) ' 



594 GENEALOGICAL PILLSBURY, 

JoHST C' (ISTathan®) m. Elizabetli S. Colby ; member of legislature 
1871, 1872; resides at Fislierville. 

Carrie i/., b. 23 Dec, 1857. 

Edward iV., b. 7 Sept., 1859 ; in Dart, coll., class 1881. 

John Walter,]). 17 Feb., 1862. 

Harloiv C, b. 27 Nov., 1872. 

PILLSBUKY. 

Compiled by Alfred Little. 

William-^ (the name originally called Pillesburgh, — see Coffin's 
Hist, of Newbury) was b. in Staffordsbire, England, 
1605; came to Newbury, Mass., in 1641, tbeiice to 
Dorcbester tbe same year ; m. Dorothy Crosby of that 
town, in 1642; returned to Newbury in 1651 [?], 
where he d. 19 June, 1686. He bought bis farm of 
Edward Kawson, secretary of state, which has ever 
since been owned by his lineal descendants, and is 
now occupied by Joshua Pillsl)ury of High st., New- 
buryport. He was a man of wealth ; owned a large 
tract of land, and had money to let, which tradition 
says he kept secreted under the eaves of his thatched 
barn. 

Joh, b. in Dorchester, Mass., IG Oct., 1643. 

Moses. 

Abel b. 1652. 

Caleb, b. at Newbury, Mass., 28 Jan., 1651; d. 4 Julv^lGSO. 

William, h. 27 July, 1650. 

Experience, b. 10 April, 1658. 

Increase, b. 10 Oct., 1660. 

Thankful, b. 22 April, 1662. 

Joshua, b. 20 June, 1674. 

JoB^ (William^) m. Katharine Gavet, 5 April, 1677. 

■Daniel, b. 20 Sept., 1678. 
Josiah,h. 17 April, 1686. 

Daniel^ (Job," William^). In 1700, he built the Pillsbury house 
on High St., Newburyport, which has ever since been 
occupied by his descendants ; m. Sarah Allen, 18 Jan., 
1703. 

Joshua, b. 11 Feb., 1704; d. 21 March, 1788. 

Joshua* (Daniel,^ Job-) m. Mary Somersby, of Newbury, Mass., 
1731, who d. 16 April, 1794, aged 87. 

Joshua, b. 23 March, 1738; d. 6 April, 1798. 



GENEALOGICAL PILLSBURY. 595 

Jo SHU A^ (Joslma,* DanieP) m. Kebeckali Witham, of Peppers- 
1)oro' (Wells), Me., 1764, who d. 28 June, 1819, aged 

77. 

Daniel, b. 15 April. 1765; d. at C , S Dec, 18^4. 
Jos/ma, b. 1769 ; d. at B., 15 Aug., ISll. 

lie had also several other children, — daughters. 

Daniel,*' Lieut. (Joshua,^ Joshua*), m. Eunice Tliurlow, of New- 
buryport, Mass., 5 Feb., 1788 ; who was b. 5 May, 1765, 
and d. 27 Oct., 1847. Soon after his marriage he re- 
moved to B. and settled on his father's farm on Water 
St., which he subsequently purchased ; was a carpen- 
ter and mill-wright. Thougii a man of medium stat- 
ure, yet the united heights of his 7 sons amounted to 
42^ feet. 

Danid, b. 20 March, 1789; d. 19 July, 1872. 

Enoch, h. 14 Aug., 1790. 

George T., b. 7 Feb., 1792; d. 16 May, 18-36. 

Moody A., h. 4 May, 1794; d. 8 Jan., 1863. 

Rebecca, b. 29 April, 1796 ; d. 5 Oct., 1874; m. Jeremiah Titcomb, 

of Deny, 29 April, 1823 ; lived in B. 
PaulP.,\). 9 Nov., 1797. 
Joseph, h. 7 Aug., 1799; d. 14 :\lay, 1861. 
Eunice, b. 22 Sept.. 1803; d. 2 Nov.. 1843. 
3Ian/, h. 6 Feb., 1805; d. 7 April, 1813. 
Sarah, b. 4 Nov., 1806; resides on the homestead. 
William T., b. 24 Aug., 1809 ; d. 27 Aug., 1845. 

Joshua,'' Capt. (Joshua,® Joshua'*), m. Elizabeth Wood, of New- 
burvport, Mass., 1793, who d. 1 Dec, 1816. He re- 
moved to B. in 1809. 

Enoch, b. 7 Jan., 1795; d. at Nashua, 26 Jan., 1S57. 

Joshta, b. 13 Aug.. 1796. 

Elizabeth, h. 1 Aug., 1798; d. 16 Oct., 1825; m. Jeremiah Little, of 

B., 5 March, 1816. 
Nathaniel, b. 13 Sept.. 1800; d. 14 April, 1863. 
Eunice, b. 2 Jan., 1803; d. in Lawrence, Mass., 1 Aug., 1872 ; ra. 

Simon Brown, of Derry, in 1828. 
Mary C, b. 20 ]March, 1805; d. 25 July, 1809 ; m. Capt. Richard 

Little, of B., 22 May, 1827. 
Phebe, b. 21 ]May, 1807; m. in 1829. 
Caroline, b. 10 July, 1811; m. 1831. 

Daniel,''' Capt. (Daniel,*' Lieut., Joshua®), removed to West New- 
bury, Mass ; m., 1st, Dorothy Searles, of New Ches- 
ter, 26 Nov., 1812, who d. 4 June, 1819; 2d. Betsey 
Burleigh, of Franklin, 9 Nov., 1820, who d. 19 Sept., 
1868. 



696 GENEALOGICAL PILLSBURY. 

Children of Dorothy : 

Ehura D., b.25 June, 1815; d. 7 Aug., 1821. 
Alelvin, b. 11 July, 1818. 

Children of Betsey : 

3IaryA., b. 10 Sept., 18-21 ; d. 2 July, 1831. 
Joseph B., b. 19 June, 182:5; d. 23 Dec, 1833. 
Benjamin D., b. 25 Oct., 1821. 

Enoch" (Daniel,'' Lieiit., Joshua''^) was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; 
resides in "Webster ; ni. Martha Burleigh, of Franklin, 
6 Dec, 1822. 

E7ioch IIilton,h. 5 May, 1821; d. 23 Dec, 1857. 
Martha A. ,h. 26 Jan., 183G; d. 22 Sept., 18G0; m. Ezekiel W. 
Burbauk, of Webster, in 1851. 

George T.,' Dea. (Daniel,*' Lieut., Joshua^), lived in B. ; was a 
mill-wright and carpenter, and the first man in town 
to frame buildings by square rule ; m. Susannah, dau. 
of Dea. Eliphalet Kilburn, of B., 16 June, 1813, who 
was h. 16 Eeb., 1790, and d. in Chicago, 111., 31 
March, 1861. [See Biog.] 

Emihj, b. 2G Sept., 1811; was a successful teacher in N. E. and at 
the South; ni., 1st, Rev. A. B. Burke, in Alexander, 
Burke county, Ga., 19 Dec, 1818, who d. 10 May, 1849 ; 
2d, Col. D. F. Kimball, of Chicago, 111., 19 Sept., 1859 ; 
resides in Fisherville. 

Catharine, b. 22 Sept., 1820 ; d. 19 Oct., 1813; m. Sewell noit,of 
Concord, 20 Jan., 1837. 

Moody A.,' Gen. (Daniel,'' Lieut., Joshua^), lived at Bashan ; m., 
1st, Abigail AV., dau. of Col. Timothy Dix, of B., 
1 Oct., 1818, who d. 9 May, 1852; 2d, Louisa F. Dix, 
sister of Abigail, 25 Xov., 1852. [See Biog.] 

Children of Abigail : 

Mooilij Adamt^, b. 20 Sept., 1820; m. Charlotte Couch, of B., 15 
March, 1847; resides in Webster. 

George, b. 17 Oct., 1823. 

Charles W., 1). 7 June, 1820; d. 17 May, 1828. 

Charles ,S'., b. 14 April, 1828. 

Paul P.,' Capt. (Daniel," Lieut., Joshua^), resides at Andover, 
Mass. ; ni., 1st, Hannah Frost, 2 May, 1825, who d. 
27 Sept., 1847, aged 52 years, 5 months; 2d, Sarah 
A. Stephens, of Andover, Mass., 10 Jan., 1848, who d. 
5 Feb., 1868, aged 52 years, 10 months. 

Child of Hannah : 
Solomon i^., b. 8 June, 1829; d. 29 Aug., 1847. 



GENEALOGICAL — PILLSBURY. 



597 



Children of Sarali : 
Solomon B., b. 14 Dec, 1848. 
George P., b. 22 Nov., 1851. 
Infant, b. and d. 12 May, 1855. 

Joseph/ Dea. (Daniel,'' Lieut., Joshna^), received a common- 
school education, which was improA^ed by judicious 
reading and association with people of intelligence. 
He, as well as five of his brothers, held a captain's 
commission. In early life he experienced religion, 
and united with the Congregational church, of which 
he was ever an active and consistent member ; was 
chosen deacon of Eirst Congregational church in B. 
He first settled on a farm at East B. In 1831, he 
accepted the position as agent and overseer of a large 
farm, containing 1,500 acres, in Jackson, Me., owned 
by Thorndike,, Sears & Co., of Boston. Here he re- 
mained five years, filling this place of responsibility 
with satisfaction to his employers. He returned to 
B. in 1836, and settled on the "Mt. Pleasant" farm, 
which he occupied through life. In 1840, '41, and 
'42, he was employed by the U. S. Land Co., oi Bos- 
ton, as inspector and appraiser of their lands in west- 
ern Pa. He was well known as a progressive and 
practical agriculturist. While a young man he re- 
ceived an injury that resulted in a chronic disease of 
the stomach, from which he was a sufferer till death. 
* He possessed a genial, social nature, and his life was 

filled with deeds of kindness. For a description of 
his character, see Titus, 1st, 8th. He m. Martha, dan. 
of Jesse Little, of B., 19 May, 1825. 

Henrjj Tl^, Col., b. 27 June, 1827; was a young man of promise in 
the church and Sabbath-scliool. Durini,^ the years 1849 
and 1850 he was employed by Col. L. C. Little, in the lum- 
ber business, on the Allegliany and Ohio rivers. In 1853 
and 1854 he became overseer, and furnislied lumber supplies 
for the Chicago & Fort AVayne R. 11.; subsequently was 
in company with his brotlier, Col. J. L. Tillsbury, as con- 
tractor on the INIobile & Girard 11. R.; was last engaged 
in railroad work at Dubuque. Iowa, where he d. 12 Dec, 
1857. 

Joseph Z., b. 10 Feb., 1829; d. at P.., 10 Jan., 1873. 

George T., b. 20 March, 1833; d. 11 Oct.. 1834. 

Martha S., b. 15 Feb., 1836; m. Daniel D. Webster, of B., 24 
April, 1867. 

George i., b. 17 May, 1839. 

William T.,^ Capt. (Daniel,'^ Lieut., Joshua^), lived in Solon, 0., 
for several years ; returned to N. H. and settled on 



598 GENEALOGICAL PILLSBURY. 

tlie " mountain farm " in Salisbury ; was a noted 
hunter; m. Eunice Fowler, of B., 10 Jan., 1833, who 
was b. 27 Aug., 1808. 

Elvira, h. 26 April, 18:39. 
EUenette, b. 4 June, 1842. 

Exoch'' (Joshua,'' Capt., Joshua^) lived in B., afterwards re- 
moved to Nashua ; m. Margaret, dau. of Caleb Knight, 
Esq., of B., 22 Feb., 1816, wlio was b. 2 Jan., 1795, 
and d. at Nashua, 19 Sept., 1845. 
Children of Margaret : 

Jonathan /v., b. 21 Feb., 1817; d. at Walpole, Mass., 9 Dec, 1876. 

Sarah Elizabeth, b. 21 IMiirch, 1819. 

Phebe A'., b. G April, 1821; d. at Nashua, 21 Jan., 1815. 

Margaret A., b. 23 April, 1823; d. at Maiden, Mass., U Aug., 
18(36. 

Caleb K.,h. 30 Dec, 1821. 

Eunice W.,h. 19 Feb., 1827; m. Wni. G. Baib\y, of Weymouth, 
Mass., 30 Nov., 1851; resides at J>everly, N. J. 

Joshua P., b. l Jan., 1830; d. at Woonsocket, E. L, 28 Oct., 1877. 

Sophia F., b. 12 July, and d. 21 Aug., 1833. 

Rebecca D., h. 19 Oct., 1831; m. James Wood, of Lebanon, 21 Oct., 
1855. 

Catherine B., b. 14 April. 1837; m. Rev. Jesse K. Hragg, 25 Dec, 
1861, who (1. at Norfolk, Mass., 14 June, 1874. 

Joshua'^ (Joshua," Capt., Joshua^) resides in tlie liouse built by 
Daniel,^ on the farm purchased by AVilliam,^ situated 
on High St., Newburyport. He m. Sarah D. [Polfe, 
of that city, 24 July, 1821. 

Samuel R., b. 8 May, 1822; d. Jan.. 1842. 

Hannah R., b. 21 April, 1824; m. Hubbard Getchell, of Sanford, 
Me., Nov., 1848; resides iu Newburyport. 

Joahua, b. 2() AprU, 1828. 

George, b. 5 March, 1832; d. 17 July, 1851. 

Sarah J., b. 1 Aug., 1838; d. 17 Nov., 1865. 

Nathaniel" (Joshua,'' Capt., Joshua^) lived in Newburyport ; 
m., 1st, Hannah Giddings, of Derry, 1824, who d. 
Aug., 1839; 2d, Martha A. Huse, of Windham. 

Children of Hannah : 
Francis E., b. Feb., 1825. 
John TF.. b. 1828. 
George W., h. 1832; d. May, 1843. 

Children of Martha : 
Emilg W., Mary E., Ilarvey II., — all married. 

Melvin^ (Daniel,^ Capt.. Daniel,'^ Lieut.) resides in Newbury- 
port ; is a macliinist ; m., 1st, Mary J Craig, of Read- 
field, Me., 2 May, 1839, who d. 13 April, 1854; 2d, 
Mary H. Marling, in Danvers, Mass., 6 March, 1868. 



GENEALOGICAL PILLSBURY. 599 

Children of Mary J. : 

Henrietta R.,h. 12 Feb., 18i0; d. 4 May, 186G; m. Thineas W. 

Perrin, in Aurora, 111., 28 March, 1866. 
Georgiannn D.,h. 17 Feb., ISio; d. at Oakland, Cal., 12 July, 

1875; m. Clinton Gushing, M. d., of Turner, 111., 4 May, 

I860. 
Ella F., b. 28 May, 1845; d. 18 March, 1850. 

Child of Mary H. : 
Frank M., b. 17 July, 1869. 

Bexjami^t D.,^ Rev. (Daniel," Capt., Daniel,® Lieut.), is presiding 
elder in the Methodist church, at Middletown, Ct. ; 
m. there Maria Chandler, April, 1848. 
Chandler, h. 10 Aug., 1854. 
Minnie, h. 1857; d. 1874. 

George,^ Dea. (Moody A.,'^ Gen., Daniel,'' Lieut.), is a farmer ; 

resides at Tewkshur}^, INIass. ; m. Lydia A. Marshall, 

of that town, 1 April, 1852. 
Ahhy M., b. 3 Sept., 1855. 

Georr/e E., b. 26 July, 18.57 ; is a civil engineer. 
Louisa F., h. 2 Sept., 1859. 
Charles .4.. b. 21 Sept., 1862. 
Arthur M.,h. 17 Oct., 1865. 
Herbert IF., b. 7 June, 1868. 

Charles S.^ (Moody A.,'' Gen., Daniel, "^ Lieut.) lives in London- 
derry ; is a fanner, justice of the jK^ace, and has filled 
various offices in town ; m. Mary C. Runnels, of War- 
ner, 24 Dec, 1863. 

Charles G., b. 15 Feb., 1865. 

Adams D., b. 23 March, 1808; d. 3 May, 1877. 

John A., b. 26 Aug., 1872; d. 17 Jan., 1873. 

Joseph L.,^ Col. (Joseph,'' Dea., Daniel,*' Lieut.), m. Mary A. 
Ely, of Wooster, 0., 18 May, 1854. [See Biog.] 
Mary E., b. 1 May, 1855; resides in Wooster, O. 
Georye H., b. 18 Aug., 1857 ; d. 21 March, 1865. 
Charles D., b. 19 Nov., 1859. 

George L.^ (Joseph,'^ Dea., Daniel," Lieut.), carpenter ; resides 
at B. ; m. there Lucina T. Quimb}^, 2 Dec., 1873. 
Joseph Henry, b. 23 Nov., 1875; d. 20 March, 1876. 
Mary Agnes, b. 15 Dec, 1876. 

Jonathan K.* (Enoch,'' Joshua,® Capt.) lived at Xashua, after- 
wards at AValpole, Mass. ; m. Sarah P. Little, of B., 
21 Nov., 1850. 
Mary E., b. 31 Oct., 1853; m. Juhus Guild, of Walpole, Ma^s, 9 
Sept., 1875. 

-^«7*\^-'|b. 30Aug.,lS56. 
Addie L., j *' 



600 GENEALOGICAL PINKERTON, 

Caleb K.^ (Enoch," Joshua,'' Capt.) resides in Lawrence, Mass. ; 
m. Ellen B. Smith, of Andover, Mass., 18 Sept., 1862. 

Annie S., b, 15 March, 1864. 
Lucretia S., b. 20 Jan., 1868. 

Joshua P.,^ Capt. (Enoch,'' Joshua,*' Capt.), lived at Woon- 
socket, R. I. ; m. there Celia M. Jencks, 8 Nov., 1860. 
Sherivin J., b. 23 Oct., 1863. 
Bertha, b. 16 July, 1865. 

Joshua^ (Joshua," Joshua,*' Capt.) m. Ahbie J. Sargent, of Law- 
rence, Mass., Nov., 1854. 
George S., h. 18 May, 1856. 
Chaiies J., b. 19 Marcti, 1859. 
Helen A., b. 18 Dec, 1868. 

Eraxcis E.*^ (Nathaniel,'^ Joshua,® Capt.) resides in Newbury- 
port, Mass. ; m. Ahby Lunt, of that city, May, 1852. 
Fra>}Ic 0., b. 27 March, 1853; m. Florence A. Ellis, of Walpole, 
Mass., 25 April, 1878. 

John AV.^ (Nathaniel,'' Joshua," Capt.) m. Hannah B. Merrill, of 
Newburj'port, Jan., 1852. 
Helen A., h. May, 1854. 
Mattie, h. Feb., and d. Oct., 1863. 
Lizzie G., h. 1866. 

PINKERTON. 

Compiled by David rinkerton. 

David,^ son of Matthew Pinkerton. was born in Londonderry, 17 
Jime, 1775 ; m. Susannah, dai;. of Dea. Griffin, of 
Londonderry; moved to B. in 1817, and settled on 
the river road near Salisbury (now Eranklin) line. 

John M.,h. 15 June, 1800; ni. Rebecca Hastings, of Littleton; 
lived and d. at Lockport, N. Y. 

Jane L'., b. 20 Nov., 1802; m. Israel Webster, of Manchester; d. 
1872. 

Hannah D., b. 3 Feb., 1806; d. in 1862. 

Sarah J., b. 12 Nov., 1808; ni. J. B. Robertson; moved to Iowa; 
d. 1876. 

David, b. 3 Nov., 1813; graduated at Dartmouth college; studied 
theology at Andover Seminary; grad. 1843; sent to Wis. 
by Home IMiss. Society; m. Mary Ann Hitchcock, of 
Galesburg, 111., in 1845; resides at Grinnell, I. Mary, the 
oldest, is a teacher in the Zulu mission. 

Moody M., b. 9 Dec, 1815; m. Jane Clark, of Portland, Me. QVo 
sons, — Myron, the oldest, b. in B., 18 July, 1843 ; grad. 
at Ripon college, Wis., July, 1868, and at Chicago Theo. 
Sem., April, 1871; sailed for Zulu mission, 9 Aug., 1871, 
with his wife, dau. of H. H. Byington, Chicago, 111. 

James, b. 24 Oct., 1818; m. Mary E. Ilowser, of Salisbury Mills, 
N. Y. ; lives in Wis. 



GENEALOGICAL PLUMMER. 601 

PLUMMEPv. 

Compiled by Helen Elizabeth Plummer. 

Tlie Plummer families of B. were Jescendants of 

Prancis/ who came from England in 1633. He was a -linen 
weaver, and settled in Newbury, Mass., 1635. His 
first wife, Euth, d. 18 Aug., 1647. He m., 2d, Ann 
Palmer, who d. 18 Oct., 1665; 3d, Beatrice, widow of 
William Cantlehury, of Salem, Mass., 29 Nov., 1665 ; 
/ d. 17 Jan, 1673. The land owned by him is still 

held in the family. 

Samuel, b. 1619. 
Joseph, b. 1630. 
]\[ary. 

Samuel- (Francis^) m. Mary ; d. Jan., 1702. 

Samuel, b. 26 April, 1647; m. Joanna Woodbury. 

Manj,h. 8 Feb., 16.j0. 

John, b. 11 May, 16o2. 

Ephrnim, b. 16 Sept., 1655. 

Hannah, b. 16 Feb., 16.57. - 

Silvanus, b. 22 Feb., 1658. 

Ruth, b. 7 Aug., 1660. 

Ellsabe/h,h. 19 Oct., 1662.^ 

Deborah, h. lo March, 1665. 

Joshua, b. 2 July, 1668 ; ) m. Elizabeth Dale. 

Lydia, b. 2 July, 1668. \ 

Bathshlna, b. 31 July, 1670. 

Ephraim'^ (Samuel,^ Francis^) m. Hannah Jaques, 15 Jan., 1680. 
Marij,h. 19 Feb., 1681. 
Hannah, b. 12 Oct., 1682. 
Samuel, b. 27 Oct., 1681. 
Elizabeth, b. 21 Nov., 1686. 
John, b. 7 Nov., 1688. 
Ruth, b. 5 Nov., 1690. 
Daniel, b. 10 March, 1693. 
Richard, b. 3 Aug., 1695. 
Bitjield, b. 12 June, 1697. 
Sarah, b. 26 July, 1699. 
Emma, b. 21 June, 1701. 

Samuel* (Ephraim,^ Samuel,- Francis^) m. Elizabeth . 

John, b. 5 Feb., 1722. 

JoHN^ (Samuel,* Ephraim^) m. Hannah . 

Bitjield, b. 11 Feb., 1742. 
Bitfield^ (John,^ Samuel,* Ephrainv'') m. Pri.scilla Eichardson, 
of Chester, Oct., 1769 ; came from Newbury to B. ; 
settled on land still held by his descendants; was 
killed by a falling tree, 19 Nov., 1788. 



602 GENEALOGICAL PLUMMER. 

Ephrahn, b. 1771. 
John, b. 10 Aug., 1774. 

Priscilla. b. 12 Jan., 1786; ui. Hichard Little, 7 Dec, 1815; d. 24 
Feb., 1825. 

Ephraim' (Bitfield,*' Jolin,^ Samuel*) m. Eacliel, davi. of Nehe- 
iiiiali Cogswell, 31 JVIay, 1792 ; lived on the home- 
stead ; d.^6 May, 1793. 
Ephrahn, b. 29 Aug., 1793. 

Ephkaim^ (Ephraim," Bitfield*') m. Lucy, dau. of Henry Geri^h, 
11 Jan., 1821, and resided on the homestead inherited 
from his fatlier — afterwards removed to the south part 
of the town ; a man of strict integrity, and an excel- 
lent citizen ; d. 20 July, 1872. 

Polly Utile, b. 23 Nov., 1821; m. Henry L. Dodge, 17 June, 1841. 

AUel G.,h. -24 May, 1824. 

Priscilla P., b. 28 May, 1826 ; m. Luther Gage, 2 March, 1859. 

■Helen Elizabeth, b. 26 March, 1834. 

Frances Ann, b. IS Nov., 1837 ; m. Albert Reed, 26 Nov., 1864. 

Abiel^ (Ephraim,^ Ephraim'') m. Kate Baughman, 5 June, 1855 ; 
resides at West Creek, Ind. 
Frank B.,h. 16 Jan., 18.58. 
Albert R., b. 14 March, 1863. 
Edwin, b. 19 Aug., 1864. 

John"^ (Bitfield") m. Hannah Jackman, 1 Jan., 1799 ; d. 24 Feb., 
1827. 

Bitfield, h. 9 Nov., 1799. 

Nanoj, b. 7 Sept., 1801: ni. Daniel Emerson; d. 11 IMarch, 1858. 
Jeremiah, b. 8 Oct., 18ii3; d. 1 July, 1867, at Lancaster, Pa. 
Mary, b. 25 Aug., 1805; m. Charles Abbot, of Lowell, Mass. ; d. 

Dec, 1868. 
Hannah, b. 31 March, 1807 ; d. 9 Sept., 1823. 
Frederick T., b. 15 Sept., 1809 ; d. 24 March, 1815. 
George W., b. 29 July, 1814; d. 10 July, 1841. 
Frederick T., h. 26 July, 1817; d. 25 Nov., 1853. 
Nathan, b. 21 July, 1821; d. 2 Nov., 1873. 

Bitfield^ (John,^ Bitfield") m. Susan Chadwick, 2 Nov., 1835 ; d. 
23 Oct., 1875. 
Hannah M., b, 5 Sept., 1836 ; d. 13 June, 1838. 
Frank J.,h. 16 Feb., 1844. 

Jeremiah^ (John,'' Bitfield") m. Electa Day, of Springfield, Mass., 
23 April, 1843; d. 13 July, 1867. 
Elizabeth Hamlin, b. 14 June, 1845; m. William Fowler, 25 Dec. 

1869. 
George W., b. 26 Aug., 1846; d. 4 Aug., 1849. 
Mary Frances, 7 , to t„„„ loio . 1 ^1- -^ Aug., 1850. 
Frank, T' ^- '^""^' ^^^^ ' j d. 20 June, 1849. 



GENEALOGICAL PLUMMER. 603 

Mary Frances, h. 30 May, 1854. 

Jeremiah, d. from injuries received by a boiler explosion, 18 July, 
1867. 

Frank J.» (Bitfield/ John") in. Abbie D. Knowles, 17 Sept., 1868. 

Hannah Louise, b. 27 Feb., 1872. 
3fary Ahhie, b. 20 Dec, 1873. 
Charlotle M.,h. 4 April, 1875. 

^eo;r/.i5./>W,?^_23Aug.,1876. 
Inez hvn, ^ ° 

Sarah Angenette, b. 4 Nov., 1877. 

Anotlier branch of the Plummer family canie from Newbury, 
Mass. The first Avas 

Joseph ^ 

BEJf JAMIJS-" m. Mary Wood. 

Nathax,'' b. in Rowley, Mass, 

Nathan* moved from Newbury, Mass. ; m. Elizabeth Dustin, 18 
Oct., 1771; d. on B. Plain, 1773. 

Mehitahle, b. 25 Feb., 1772; m. Col. Benj. Choate, 20 Nov., 1793; 

d. at Enfield, 17 Dec, 1858. 
Nathan, b. in B., 2 April, 1774. 

Nathan^ (Nathan,* Nathan,^ Benjamin,- Joseph^) m. Sarah, dau. 
« of Samuel Ames, 14 June, 1804, and settled on Fish 
street. A persevering and energetic business man. 
To the care of his farm he added the business 
of lumbering. A good citizen, and highly esteemed ; 
represented B. in legislature two terms ; d. 7 April, 
1848. Sarah d. 25 Feb., 1842. 

Mehitahle, b. 14 June, 1806; m. 1st, Joseph Gerrish, 11 Nov., 1830; 

2d, Thomas Lyford, of Sanbornton, 16 Nov., 1854: d. at 

Fisherville. 15 Feb., 1877; 
3Iari/, b. 16 Jan., 1810; m. Fisher Ames, of Canterbury, 15 Feb., 

1844. [See Ames Gen.] 
Eliza Jane, b. 31 Oct., 1814; m. Dearborn Glines, 11 June, 1846; 

d. 2 Sept., 1877. 

Another branch of the Plummer family : 

Joshua C, Capt., son of Samuel and Dorcas (Coffin) Plummer, 
came to Boscawen from Newbury, Mass., while a youth, 
and lived with his uncle, Caleb Knight, Esq ; after- 
wards settled upon the Knight homestead, — the farm 
now owned by Capt. George W. Stone. He is re- 
membered as a man of culture, of gentlemanly bearing, 
39 



604 GENEALOGICAL PRICE. 

and one who was active in the promotion of religion 
and good order. Removed to Bangor, Me, 1829; d. 
there 10 Dec, 1844. He m., 1st, Eunice Knight, 21 
March, 1816; 2d, Sophia W. Dix, 25 Dec, 1828. 

Children of Eunice : 

Calel K., b. 5 Dec, 1816; d. 28 Oct., 1818. 
Charles F., b. 4 Jan., 1819; d. 4 Sept., 18-20. 

Lucretia A., b. 22 Aug., 1820; d. ;] Dec, 1864; m. Charles Tem- 
ple. 
Louisa.h. 26 Aug., 1822; d. 12 Julv. 1876. 
William L., b. 11 May, 1824 ; d. 17 Dec, 1874. 
Catharine K., b. 29 April, 182G; d. 26 Nov., 1828. 
Eunice, b. 16 Sept., 1827; d. 10 Jan., 1828. 

Children of Sophia : 
George D., b. 8 March, 1830; d. at Memphis, Tenn., 12 Oct., 1873. 

Freddie, } ■, ■ ■ <• 

T, 7 ,• ' > d. HI niiancy. 

Eddie, S 

Frances M. P., b. 23 Dec, 1833 ; ra. Edward L. Pickard. 

Lucy H.,h.G July, 1836; m. Chapin, Otsego, Mich. 

Edward D., d. Feb., 1814. 

John A., h. 4 May, 1841. 

Katherine M.,h. 29 April, 1845. 

PRICE. 

Ebenezer,-' Rev., son of William and Sarah Price, was b. in 
Newburyport, 14 Sept., 1771; m. Lucy Fari;er; d. 19 
Feb., 1864. [See Biog.] 

Mary F., b. 26 Dec, 1804; m. Rev. Addison Kingsbury, d. d.; re- 
sides in Zanesville, O. 

Lucij Ellsworth, b. 17 Jan., 1808; d. 20 March, 1859. 

Einily Preston, b. 25 Oct., 1809; m. Rev. Zerah H. Hawley; lives 
in Memphis, Tenn. 

Ehenezer Sewall, b. 1 Feb., 1812 ; m. Elizabeth Wilson, of Boston, 
Mass. He was trained to mercantile pursuits, which he 
followed in B., and afterwards in Boston; and subsequent- 
ly for nearly 20 years was in the U. S. revenue service in 
Boston, Mass. 

Frederic C.,b. 6 Aug., 1815 ; was educated at Dartmouth; removed 
to the West; m. Mary Belt; practised as a physician. 



GENEALOGICAL PUTNEY. 605 



PUTNEY. 

Compiled by Jliss Ida Putney, of Webster. 

Tlie Putney familj^ came from Scotland. The B. branch are 
descendants of a family that settled in Dunbarton. In 1752, Sam- 
uel Putney^ and a citizen by the name of Kimball were captured 
by Indians, who also undertook to surprise the settlement at 
Contoocook, but who were themselves surprised by the set- 
tlers near the " Mountain." In their haste to escape they left 
young Putney behind. He settled on " Putney hill," in Hopkin- 
ton. His sons were Joseph, William, Enoch, Samuel, Stephen. 

Stephen^ (SamueP), b. 12 Peb., 17G5; enlisted as soldier in the 
Kevolution, — served one year and three months. In 
1795 he purchased a piece of land of Wm. Coffin, of 
Newbury, Mass., and cleared his farm, now occupied 
by his son, Charles E. Putney ; m., 1st, Sally East- 
man, of Ilopkinton, who d. 1809 ; 2d, Susan Eastman ; 
3d, Sail}'' Eastman,-^three wives of the name of East- 
man, and the first and third named Sally. The record 
of six of the twelve children of Sally, 1st, is wanting. 
Stephen Putney was the father of 22 children. He 
was an industrious man, and an estimable citizen. He 
d. 18 Feb., 1847. 

Children of Sally : 
yelson, b. 10 Aug., 178(3. 
Enoch, h. 15 July, 1788. 
True, b. March, 1800. 
Plwna. 
Hannah. 
Stephen. 

Children of Susan : 

Clarissa. 

Sarah. 

David, b. 5 Aug., 1812. 

Lucy, b. 2 July, 1814. 

Azariah. 

Children of Sally : 

Charles 'Monson, b. 1 Oct., 1820; d. 15 Sept., 1821. 

Martj Angaline, b. 6 July, 1825; d. 20 July, 1825. 

Charles E., b. 10 June, 1827 ; m. Susan, dau. of John Sanborn ; 

lives in AVebster. 
Semantha S.,h. 3 Aug., 1829; m. Dustia Spauldiug ; resides in 
Contoocook. 

Nelson^ (Stephen/^ SamueP), b. 10 Aug., 1786; m. Sally Whit- 
tier; moved to Woodstock, Vt. ; d. 20 April, 1872. 



606 GENEALOGICAL PUTNEY, 

Louis S., b. 17 July, 1810; d. 1 Dec, 1839. 

Thomas Elliot, h. 5 Jan., 1816. 

Hannah, b. 12 July, 1817; d. 17 April, 1833. 

Thomas E.* (Nelson,^ Stephen^), b. 5 Jan., 181G ; m. Lucretia 
Hoyt, of Concord. 

Sarah H., b. 26 July, 1818 ; m. Marsh. 

Benjamin F., b. 9 Oct., 1815; d. 12 May, 1867. 
True Nelson, h. Nov., 1847. 

Roxa Ann, b. 5 July, 1850; m. Leonard. 

Jason i., b. 6 March, 1853. 

Rhoda E., b. 16 March. 1857 ; d. 25 Nov., 1870. 

Maria H., b. 30 April, 1862. 

Enoch^ (Stephen^), b. 15 July, 1788 ; m. Sally Carlton ; settled 
on the place now owned byErancis S. Putney, in W. ; 
d. 2 March, 1853. 

Frances S., b. 20 Oct., 1818. 

Moses, b. 14 Dec, 1820 ; d. 10 Nov., 1841. 

Clarissa, b. 21 Sept., 1824; d. 3 June, 1816. 

Erancis S.4 (Enoch,=' Stephen,'^ SaniueP), b. 20 Oct., 1820; m. 
Nancy Sibley. 

Willie, b. 23 Sept., 1844 ; d. 11 Feb., 1844. 

Frank, b. 12 April, 1847; d. 23 Dec, 1849. 

Willie, b. 24 March, 1840 ; ni. Jennie, dau. Wra. D. Call, of B. 

Clara, b. 28 Sept., 1850; d. 1878. 

Mary Anna, b. 25 Dec, 1852; m. Sheldon Scribner. 

Josephine, b. 16 Dec, 1854; d. 26 Dec, 1857. 

Ori(ien,h. 20 Dec, 1850. 

Luther, b. 26 July, 1859. 

FrecLh. 21 Jan., 1866. 

True3 (Stephen,^ SamueP), b. Nov., 1800; m. Hester Ann Caull, 
of Cambridge, Md. ; stone-mason. The firm of Sweatt 
& Co., of wliich he was a member, laid the first track 
on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, from the Relay 
House to Ellicott's Mills, — six miles in six weeks. At 
that time (1830-1835) railroad engineering required 
stone ties, or longitudinal blocks of granite to which 
the rails were spiked. He also laid a longitudinal 
track of stone from Ellicott's Mills to Morrillsville, — 
ten miles, — requiring 100,000 cubic feet of stone ; 
also a track from Erenchtown to Newcastle, in Dela- 
ware ; also track upon other roads in Maryland. In 
1836-'37 he supplied the government with stone for 
the public warehouse in Baltimore. In 1838-'39 he 
furnished stone for the government in Washington. 
In 1855 he was appointed master-mason on the new 
treasury building, Washington, holding the position 



GENEALOGICAL — QUIMBY. 607 

till 1864. That massive building has risen wholly 
under his superintendence. He resides in Washing- 
ton. 
Plummer, SaraJi, George, Benjamin^ Lucy, — all d. young. 

David^ (Stephen,- SamueP), b. 5 Aug., 1812; settled in Mary- 
land. 

Stephen, Georrje, True, Lucij, Scmanllia. 

Charles E.^ (Stephen,^ Samuel,^), b. 10 June, 1827; m. Susan 
Sanborn. 

7r/«/., b. 21 Oct., 1851. 
Charles H., b. 19 Feb., 1853. 
Joh7i S., b. 27 Jan., 185.'>. 
Corn E., b. 29 Sept., 1858. 
Bertha May, b. 6 July, 18(58. 

QUIMBY. 

Isaac,! b. at New Chester (Hill), 1 Nov., 1784; d. 7 Feb, 1848; 
m. Polly Sargent, of New Chester, Nov., 1812, who 
was b. 31 Oct., 1781, and d. 29 Dec., 1844. 
Tirzah J., h. 12 Sept., 181.'5; m. Luther Winchester, of Providence, 

11. I. 
Joh7i S., b. 28 June, 1823; d. 8 Sept., 1876, at B. 

JoHjS^ S.^ (Isaac^) settled in B. in 1852; m. Jane B. Dustin, of 
Hill, 27 Nov., 1845; who was b. 31 July, 1825. She 
is the sixth gen. in descent from Hannah Dustin. 

Andrew E., b. 4 Jan., 1817. 

Mary J., b. 30 Nov., 1818: m. Charles II. Weeks, of West Thorn- 
ton, 13 March, 1867. 

Lucina T., b. 11 June, 1851; m. George L. Pillsbury, of B., 2 Dec. 
1873. 

George Z., h. 8 Nov., 1853. 

JohnC. b. 16 July, 1856. 

Annie M., b. 17 April, 1859; d. 15 Oct., 1863. 

Edward IF., b. 7 Oct., 1864. 

Mattie H., b. 5 April, 1868. 

AxDREW E.^ (John S.,^ Isaac^) is station agent at North B. ; m. 
Alice N. Page, of Thornton, 10 Dec, 1873. 
George A.,}). 11 Oct., 1874. 



608 GENEALOGICAL ROLFE, 

EOLFE. 

Compiled by John Kimball. 

The ancestors of tlie Eolfe families in B. and Concord were 
two brothers, who came from England and settled in Newhury, 
Mass., about 1635. The tradition was, that these brothers were 
the ancestors of all the Eolfes in this country ; but the records of 
Ipswich, Mass., show that in 1640 there were two men in that 
town by the name of Daniel and Ezra Eolfe: so this tradition is 
erroneous. 

Henky,^ with his wife Honour, and his brother John, with his 
wife Esther, were in Newbury before 1642. 
John, Benjamin^ and two daughters. 

John- (Henry^) m. and lived a short time in Newbury, then 
moved to Nantucket, and from there to Cambridge. 
He had 14 or 15 children. Five of his sons went to 
Woodbridge, N. J. Their descendants generally spell 
their name Eolph. 

Benjamin- (Henry^) m. Apphia, only daughter of Thomas Hale, 
an early settler in Newbury, and the ancestor of the 
Hales in New England and New York. 
John, Benjamin, Henry, Nathaniel, Samuel, and four daughters. 

JoHN^ (Benjamin,^ Henry^) Avas the ancestor of the families of 
that name who settled in B. 
John. 

Benjamin^ (Benjamin-) was the minister killed by the Indians 
in their attack at Haverhill, Mass., in 1708. 

Henry^ (Benjamin^) was the ancestor of the Eolfe families of 
Concord. 

Nathajiiel. 
John* (John,^ Benjamin,- Henry^) m. Judith Dole, 7 Oct., 1713. 

Bdchard, b. 14 Feb., 171G; d. 23 Dec, 1735. 

John, b. 10 Feb.. 1718; d. young. 

Hannah, b. 25 Dec. 1720; m. Nathaniel Eolfe.* 

Enoch, b. 25 Feb., 1725 or 1726; m. Ruth llsley. 

Benjamin, b. 25 Dec, 1731. 

Benjamin^ (John,* John,^ Benjamin,- Henry ^) came from New- 
bury, Mass. ; m. Lydia Pearsons, 25 Dec, 1760 ; set- 
tled on High street; d. 1823. 

John, b. 27 July, 17G2. 

Elizabeth, called Betsey, b. 20 Feb., 1765 ; d. June, 1853. 

Silas, b. 8 Jan., 1767; d. 1846. 



GENEALOGICAL ROLFE. 609 

Judith, b. 31 Dec, 1769 ; d. April, 1817. 
Amos, d. young. 
Benjamin, b. 20 Jan., 1773. 

JoHN^ (Benjamin^ ) settled on Battle street ; cl. Sept., 1833. 

John, b. 9 May, 1785; m. Rosanna Burbank, 31 May, 1814. 

Amns.'h. 12 April, 1787; d. 27 Jan., 1811. 

Lydia, b. 25 Sept., 1791; d. Feb., 1875. 

Michael, b. 10 Feb., 1793; d. 28 Jan., 1810. 

Eliza, b. 29 July, 1797. 

JwVuh, b. 13 Feb.. 1799. 

Paul, b. 27 Oct., 1802 ; d. Sept., 1824. 

Nancy, b. 25 Sept., 1806; d. 27 ]\larch, 1830. 

Susan P., b. Sept., 1808; d. 17 Oct., 1877. 

Jeremiah, b. 8 Jan., 1812. 

SiLAS« (Benjamiir') m. Nancy Perkins; moved to northern K Y. 
Sarah, h. 5 April, 1791. 
Amos, b. 7 July, 1795. 
Pearson, b. 20 Sept., 1798. 
Benjamin, b. 15 March, 1800. 

BE^fjAMiN*^ (Benjamin^) succeeded to the homestead of his father; 
ni. Margaret, dau. of Rev. Jonathan Searle, of Salis- 
bury. He had a fondness for mechanical labor ; and 
in addition to the cares of his farm employed himself 
making wood aqueducts and pumps. Nearly all of 
tliat kind of business in the east part of the town was 
done under his direction. Many of liis pumps made 
from the old iohite pine are now in iise, and are pre- 
ferred by some to the modern inventions. He d. 19 
Jan., 1857. 

Three children, d. voung. 

Enoch Sanborn, b. 12 May, 1819. 

Henry Pearsons, b. 13 Feb., 1821. 

Charles Benjamin, b. April, 1823; d. 1 Oct., 1851. 

Amos'' (John,^ Benjaniin,^) m. Fanny Burhank, 18 Nov., 1813. 

Daml C.,b. 17 Feb., 1815. 

Louisa, b. 5 Sept., 1816; m. N. Colby; d. 11 Nov., 1848. 

William, b. 8 Aug., 1819; d. 13 Feb., 1844. 

Rosannah, b. 7 Nov., 1821; m. Lugby Sherwood. 

Albert, b. 3 June, 1824. 

Hiram, b. 10 May, 1827; d. 24 Aug., 1854. 

Harriet, b. 1 Feb., 1829 ; d. 11 July, 1849. 

Melissa, b. 7 March, 1832; d. 23 June, 1867. 

Jeremiah'' (John,® Benjamin^) m. Lucy Ann, dau. of Caleb 
Smith, 4 Oct., 1843. In early life he manifested a 
love for mechanical labor. In manhood his services 
were in demand by bridge-builders, mill-owners, and 



610 



GENEALOGICAL ROLFE. 



carpenters, from whom he obtained constant emploj-- 
nient and good compensation. Declining health com- 
j^elled him to return to his farm on High strt'ct. 

John Smith, b. 11 Feb., 1850; drowned in Merrimack rivor, 17 Julv, 
1870. ^ 

Kate EuL-ie, b. 10 May, 1S5G ; d. 1 July, 1865. 

Henry Pearsoxs' (Benjamin"), educated at New Hampton In- 
stitution, and entered Dartmouth coll. ; graduated in 
1848 ; studied law in the office of Asa Fowler, of Con- 
cord; admitted to practice, ISol, forming a co-partner- 
ship with the late A. S. Marshall ; elected to the leg- 
islature from Concord, 1858, and after the city was 
incorporated, from Ward 5, 1863, 1864; appointed 
U. S. district attorney for IST. H., by President Grant, 
1869, an office he held till 1874; m. Marv Rebecca, 
dau. of Eobert H. Sherburne, 22 Nov., 1853. 

Marshall P., b. 29 Sept., 1851; d. 6 Aug., 1862. 

Manjaret F., b. 12 Jan., 1857 ; d. 2 May, 1857. 

Henrietta M., h. 17 Jan., 1801 ; d. 22 Sept., 1862. 

BoJjert Henry, b. IG Oct., 1863. 

George Hamilton, b. 21 Dec, 1866. 

David C.^ (Amos'') m. Mary E. Smith, June, 1856. 
George, b. 31 May, 1857. 
Frank, b. 11 Nov., 1861. 
Lewis, b. 2U-Scpt., 18G4 ; d. 15 Sept., 1877. 

Albert^ (Amos') m. Mary Alexander, Claremont. 
Angle, b. 17 Dec, 1859. 

The Rolfe families of Concord were connected with those of 
B., viz. : 

Nathaniel* (Heniy,^ Benjamin'-) married 

Hannah^ (John,* John,^ Benjamin-) had nine children. They 
moved to Concord, and settled on what is now the 
city farm in Ward 3. 
Nathaniel^ (Nathaniel*) m. widow Judith Chandler, dau. of 
Rev. Timothy Walker, and settled near the mouth of 
Contoocook river; d. 15 Nov., 1829. 
Ahiel, b. 6 April, 1781; unmarried; d. 19 Feb., 1840. 
Jane, b. 21 Jan., 1782; m. Nathan Chandler. 
Henrg, h. 31 Aug., 1785; m. Deborah Carter. 

Benjamin^ (Nathaniel,* Henry,^ Benjamin,^ Henry^), b. in Hav- 
erhill, Mass., 31 May, 1752; m. Molly Sweatt, and 
had six children. The youngest, — 



GENEALOGICAL RUSS, SLEEPER. 



611 



Benjamin,^ b. in Rumford, Me., 10 "Feb., 1796; m. Mary K. 
Elanders, dau. of Mrs. David Jackman, of B., 28 Dec, 
1820 ; lived at the toll-house at B. bridge for a time ; 
settled in Concord; d. 12 Jan., 1807. 

Harriet, b. 8 July, 1822 ; ra. John W. Brown. 

Hiram, b. 24 Dec. 1825; m. Georgianna Coombs. 

Mary Ann, b. 30 Nov., 1828 ; m. A. C. Osborne ; d. 3 Feb., 1854. 

Charlotte, b. 20 Sept., 1833; m. Jonathan C. Harvey. 

David Jackman, b. 29 April, 1838; m. Adelia Carner. 

Eliza Newell, b. 4 Feb., 1842 ; d. 30 Sept., 1864. 

EUSS. 
Joiix ()} m. Sophronia S., dan. of Wm. II. Gage. 

/.saac Gage. b. 2 Sept., 1836. 
John Franklin, b. 29 June, 1839. 
William G., h. May, 1844; d. in infancy. 

Isaac Gage^ (John O.^), b. 2 Sept., 1836; m., 1st, Semantha R. 
Lang; 2d, Betsey Stevens ; 3d, Ann Dickey. 

Child of Betsey : 
Soplironia G., b. 24 Aug., 1869. 
Joiix Franklin^ (John 0.^), b. 29 Jan., 1839 ; ni. Augusta J. 
Plumer. 
Harnj, h. 7 Sept., 18(55. 
Ernest, b. 19 .June, 1876. 

SLEEPER. 

Nehemiah D.,- Rev. (Thomas^), b. in Andover, 3 July, 1793; m. 
Charlotte, dau. of James Taylor, of Sutton, 31 Jan., 
1S22; moved to B. in 1835, and became minister of 
the Christian Union Religious Society, remaining till 
1842. He resided in the house now occupied by 
Horace Simpson. His wife d 1 Dec, 1839. His 
preaching was acceptable to his church, and he labored 
zealously while in town. He resides at Contoocook. 
Caroline,}). IS May, 1826; m. Chas. 11. Jackman; moved to Maine. 
Joseph T., b. 7 Dec, 1834; m. Helen R. Dole, 17 Jan., 1860; re- 
sides in Concord. 



612 GENEALOGICAL SMITH, STONE. 

SMITH. 

Ambrose,^ Rev., b. in Ossipee, 9 July, 1820 ; m. Cynthia M. 
Edgerton. [See Biog.] 

Francis E., b. in Northfield, Vt., 8 April, 1851; m. Eliza A. 
Currier, 13 May, 1873; farmer; lives in Hartford, Vt. 

L7/ndo7i A., \). in B., 15 July, 1854; member of the class of '80, 
Dartmouth collefre. 

Juslin Harvei/, b. in B., 13 Jan., 1857; grad. at Dart, coll., 1877. 
He was one of live who have obtained perfect marks in 
Dartmouth since its founding, in 1769; appointed private 
secretar)^ to the superintendent of schools of Boston, and 
was principal of the Keponsct evening school. In 1878 
was appointed literary assistant to Hon. John D. Phil- 
brick, superintendent of the United States educational ex- 
hibit at the Paris Exposition of 1878. 

STONE. 

Compiled by Alfred Little. 

George,^ Capt., was b. at Lexington, Mass., 21 ]March, 1760, and 
d. at West B., 8 Dec, 1834. He was a soldier of the 
Eevolution, enlisting at the age of 15, and served five 
years ; participated in the battles of Brandywine, 
Stillwater, and other engagements ; witnessed the sur- 
render of Burgoyne ; endured the suffering and priva- 
tion of the Avinter encampment at Valley Forge ; and 
was wounded at the battle of IMonmoutli. On the re- 
turn of peace, he settled in B., but the depreciation of 
Continental money left him so poor that he had only 
twenty cents to begin life with. By industry he was 
soon able to j^urchase twenty acres, upon which he 
commenced farming, and in time acquired land suffi- 
cient to give each of his eight children a homestead. 
He m., 1st, Hannah Lovering, of Kingston, about 
1788, who d. 27 Dec, 182G, \aged 65; 2d, Abigail 
Currier, of Canterbury, in 1830, who d. 18 April, 
1849, aged 66. 

Children of Hannah : 

Sarah, h. 28 Dec, 1789; d. 9 Jan., 1858; m. Moses Call, of Salis- 
bury, iu 1829, who d. 1 May, 1848. 

John, b. 28 Feb., 1792 ; d. 25 Jan., 1870. 

Amos, b. 20 June, 1794 ; d. 5 Feb., 1875. 

PoUi/, b. 27 May, 1797; m. Benj. C. Swasey, of Cantei'bury, 1831. 

Peter, h. 11 Dec, 1799. 

Georr/e IF., b. 5 Sept., 1802. 

Hannah, b. 14 Feb., 1801; d. 27 Nov., 1804; m. Samuel D. Couch, 
of AVest B..2G April, 1830. 

Eoyal, b. 27 July, 1807. 



GENEALOGICAL STONE. 



61{ 



JoHN^ (George/ Capt.) lived on Battle st., Webster ; was drafted 
ill 1814 for three montlis, and stationed at Forts- 
moutli ; m. Submit Sweatt, of West B. 

Benjamin S.,h. 16 June, 1815 ; lives on Battle st.; in. Frances C, 

dan. of Z. G. "W- hitman, Esq., West B., 2S July, 1840. 
Hiram G., b. 24 May, 1822. 

Amos'- (George/ Capt.) lived on Battle st., afterwards at Canter- 
bury ; m. Nancy A. Couch, of West B., 31 Dec, 1818, 
who d. 22 Nov., 1874. 

Mary A.,h. 1 Aug., 1819; m., 1st, Geo. W. Shackford, of Bar- 
rington, 27 Nov.. 1842; 2d, Frank C. Smith, of Con- 
cord, 13 March, 1855. 

Eliza C.,h. 14 Oct., 1820; m. Benj. F. Call, of Salisbury, 27 
Nov., 1815. 

Gilman C, b. 11 March, 1823. 

Ira A., h. 13 June, 1825; d. 15 Oct., 1846. 

Joseph Warren, b. 10 Oct., 1827. 

Hannah A., b. 12 April, 1830; m. John B. Sanborn, of Concord, 2 
April, 1856. 

Henn/ F., b. 20 Aug., 1833. 

Roijal H, b. 15 June, 1837; d. 9 March, 1842. 

Naiicy /., b. 13 Oct.. 1839; d. 13 March, 1842. 

Mijro'n H., b. 18 March, 1843. 

Peter/ Dea. (George,^ Capt.), resides at the homestead on Prov- 
ince road, near the Blackwater ; m. Ruth Call, of B., 
27 Dec, 1824, who was b. 31 Dec, 1802 [see Biog.]. 

Phehe C, h. 24 Sept., 1825; d. 22 July, 1863; m. John A, 
McClure, of B., March, 1848. 

Charles J. F., b. 21 April. 1827 ; d. 19 April, 1860. 

Hannah E., b. 12 Dec, 1828; d. 26 Oct., 1865; m. Geo. T. San- 
born, of West B., 13 Jan., 1850. 

,S7/a,s C, b. 14 Nov., 1830. 

Marj/ /., b. 18 Sept., and d. 22 Nov., 1832. 

Marij J., b. 3 Nov., 1833; m. Moses F. Heath, of West B., 25 
June, 1852. 

Buth E., b. 18 Dec, 1835; d. 23 March, 1841. 

Charlotte A., b. 25 Feb., 1839 ; m., 1st, John Sawyer, of Concord ; 
2d, Joshua Surgent, of San Francisco, Cai., Aug., 1865. 

Frederick P., b. 24 March, 1841. 

Nathan /., b. 11 June, 1843. 

Emma R., b. 6 July, 1845; m. Frank II. Svvett, of Audover, 9 
Oct., 1863 : resides in Santa Rosa, Cal. 

George W.,^ Capt. (George,^ Capt.), resides in Webster, on the 
farm formerly owned by Caleb Knight, Esq. ; ni. Julia 
A. Sweatt, of West B.," 13 May, 1833. 
Caroline, b. 4 March, 1834; d. 4 Sept., 1842. 
Catharine, b. 20 Oct., 1838 ; d. 19 Feb., 1863 ; m. Joseph Warren 

Stone, of West B., 29 Nov., 1855. 
CurusA., b. 10 Jan., 1812. 



614 . GENEALOGICAL STONE. 

Marcia A., b. 4 April, 1844; d. 7 :N"ov., 1862. 

Ella F., b. 26 Nov., 1846. 

George Henrj/, b. 17 Feb., 18-50; m. Lottie J. Seavey, of B., 3 Jan., 

1877. 
Marietta, b. 17 Aug., 1852; m. Beiij. Pettengill, of Salisbury, 13 

May, 1870. 
Julia Augusta, b. 18 May, 1856. 

RoYAL^ (George,^ Capt.) settled in Andover; m. Eutli Currier, 
of Canterlnuy, who was b. 19 Sept., 1821. 

Christiana C, b. 1840 [?]; m., 1st, Richard Davis; 2d, Man- 
uel, of Franklin. 

George R., h. 16 May, 1843 ; grad. at Dart. coll. ; practised law at 
Lynn, Mass.; m. Ella M. Chandler, of Me. 

Hiram G.^ (Jolin,^ George,^ Capt.), resides on Battle st., Web- 
ster ; has been successful as a writer, farmer, and or- 
chardist ; m., 1st, Mary Ann C. Ticknor, of Lebanon, 
26 Jan., 1847, who d. 10 Nov., 1856 ; 2d, Lucinda 
Lane, of Epsom, 5 Dec, 1857. 

Children of Mary Ann : 
Ilelvin 2'., b. 28 July, 1854. 
Mar?/ Ann T., h. 18 Aug., 18.56 ; d. 21 Sept., 1870. 

Child of Lucinda : 
Ina M., b. 29 Sept., 1868. 

GiLMAN C.^ (Amos,- George,^ Capt.) resides in Webster ; is a car- 
penter ; m. Mary F. Boutelle, of Hopkinton, 29 Nov., 
1855. 

Ira Francis, b. 8 July, and d. 21 Oct., 1862. 

Arthur IF., b. 23 Oct., 1865. 

Joseph Warren-^ (Amos,- George,^ Capt.) resides in Canterburv ; 
m., 1st, Catharine Stone, of West B., 28 Nov.. 1855; 
2d, Mary J. Lovering, of Loudon, 19 Feb., 1864. 

Children of Mary : 
Gate J., b. 7 Jan., 1865. 

Carrie N., h. 7 Marcli, 1868; d. 28 July, 1871. 
Ira W., h. 1 Dec, 1873. 

Henry F.^ (Amos,^ George,^ Capt.) lives in Manchester ; m. 
Adelia A. B. Sanborn, of West B., 11 Oct., 1855. 

Oscar P., h. 24 Sept., 18.58. 

Clarence P., b. 11 Nov., 1863 ; d. 12 Oct., 1877. 

Myron H.^ (Amos,^ George,^ Capt.) lives in Manchester; m. 
Hannah Moore, of Canterbury, 28 July, 1869. 
Leona G., b. 18 July, 1870. 
Leon M., b. 13 Aug., 1871. 
Bertha L., b. 15 March, 1876, 



GENEALOGICAL STONE. 615 

Charles J. F.,^ Esq. (Peter,^ Dea., George,^ Capt.), was a mem- 
ber of the military academy at ISTorwicli, Vt. ; after- 
wards studied law with Austin F. Pike, Esq., at 
Franklin, and at the Cambridge Law School ; was ad- 
mitted to the bar and practised law at Plymouth ; m. 
Abby A. Weare, of Andover, 20 Sept., 1855. 

George TF., b. 11 Nov., 1857 ;"> graduates of Dart, coll., — class of 
Charles TF.', b. 6 Aug., 1859; | 1878. 

Silas C.,^ Dea. (Peter,^ Dea., George,^ Capt.), resides at West 
Eoxburj', Mass. ; a successful teacher ; is now master 
of the Sherwin school, Boston ; m. Julia A. Pattee, of 
Goffstown, 6 Feb., 1854. 

Alaric, b. 28 Jan., 1855. 

S. Abbie, h. 10 July, 1861. 

Annie F. S., b. 3 Aug., 1867. 

Fkederick P.,^ Capt. (Peter, "^ Dea., George,^ Capt.). [See Biog.] 
Charles F., h. 22 Nov., 1868. 
Josephine L., b. 7 Feb., 1870. 
Hubert H. B., b. 2-1 Sept., 1871. 
DoraB.,h. 1873; d. 1874. 

Nathaj;- J.^ (Peter, '^ Dea., George,^ Capt.) resides in Santa Eosa, 
Cal. ; was for several years clerk in the bookstore of 
the Bancrofts, at San Francisco ; travelled extensivel}'' 
for them in the territories, Cal., and the Atlantic 
states ; also in Europe, for a firm in Yokahama, Japan, 
where for the last five years he has been engaged in 
mercantile business ; m. Annie Call, of San Francisco, 
Cal. 
Infant son, b. 16 and d. 17 May, 1876. 
Infant dau., b. 19 and d. 20 Jan., 1878. 



616 GENEALOGICAL TEMPLE. 

TEMPLE. 

Couiiiiled by Dea. Wm. Temijle, Woburn, Mass. 

The name of Temple dates back in English history to the 11th 
century. The first of the name in America was 

Egbert,^ of Saco, Me. According to tradition, he was killed by 
the Indians in 1675, and the family moved to Lynn or 
Boston. 

Richard,^ one of the sons, was indentured to Dea. Thomas Ban- 
croft, of Reading, ancestor of the historian, Hon. Geo. 
Bancroft. He m., in 1693, Deborah, dau. of Thomas 
Parker, and reared a family of ten children. 

JoxATHAX,^ the third child, was b. 1698 or 1699, and m., 1st, 
Sarah Harndon, 1734; 2d, Sarah Damon, in 1759. 
He d. 20 May, 1789. Had six children. 

Daniel,* the youngest, b. 4 Aug., 1767; m., 17 Oct., 1788, Sarah 
Beard. 

Daxiel,^ b. 23 Dec, 1789; grad. Dartmouth coll., 1817, and An- 
dover Theological Seminary, 1821 ; ordained mission- 
ary of the American Board at Bridgewater, Mass., 3 
Oct., 1821; m. Eachel, dau. of Col. Timothy Dix, of 
B., 4 Dec, 1821, missionary at Malta ; d. in Read- 
ing, 9 Aug., 1851. 

Daniel, h. 13 Nov., 1822; m. Louisa M. Newlin. 

Charles, h. 20 July, 1824; m., 1st, Lucretia, dau. of Joshua Pluin- 

raer, of Bangor, formerly of B. ; 2d, Ursula E. Chapin ; 

lives in Otsego, Mich. 
Cntherine, b. 24 Dec. 1825; d. 16 April, 1827. 
William, b. 30 Dec, 1826; d. 8 March, 1827. 

JoHX,^ fifth child of Richard,- b. 21 Oct., 1704 ; m. Rebecca, 
dau. of Ebenezer Parker ; had seven children. 

William,* b. 3 Jan., 1745; m. Rebecca Weston; had three 
children. 

William,^ b. 5 June, 1773 ; m. Zerviah, dau. of Zebulon Rich- 
ardson, of Woburn; d. 27 April, 1802. 

William,*' b. 15 Sept., 1801 ; only child of William.^ Learned 
blacksmithing; m. Susanna Noyes, 12 June, 1823; 
settled in B., where he carried on blacksmithing many 
years ; has resided at East Woburn since 1865 ; was 
captain of artillery ; deacon of Congregational church ; 
has been much interested in histoiy and genealogy ; 
was one of the original subscribers to the N. E. Gen. 
Register ; an ardent advocate of anti-slavery, temj)er- 
ance, and other reforms. 



GENEALOGICAL — WEBSTER. 617 

WEBSTER. 

William^ descencled from the Websters of Hampstead ; settled 
in Salisbury, N. H. 

Naihaniel, b. 15 Feb., 1781. 

Ehenezer, b U Aug., 1787. 

Worcester, b. 1791. 

Benjamin^ d. at Haverhill. 

William, d. in Canada. 

Ruth, d. at Hill. 

Mary, b. 1779; d. at B., 25 Dec, 1847. 

Amos, d. at Crescent City, 111. 

Nathaniel^ (William^) m. Betsey, dau. of Moses Sawj^er, of 
Salisbury, 1 Nov., 1815 ; d. 8 Aug., 1828. 

Betseij S., b. 11 Feb., 1817 ; d. 8 Sept., 1825. 

Naihaniel S., b. 11 May, 1818; m. Lucy Ann Lord, 2 July, 1846 ; 
representative in 1876 and 1877. Two children, — Julia 
A., and Charles I. 

William, b. 20 Feb., 1821 ; d. 8 Aug., 1826. 

Ann Ruth, h. 26 Nov., 1823; m. Rev. Horace Eaton, d. d., Pal- 
myra, N. Y. Three children living. 

Ebenezer,'- Col. (William^), b. 14 Aug., 1787 ; m. Sarah, his 
cousin, dau. of Hon. Ebenezer Webster, and sister of 
Daniel and Ezekiel ; engaged in trade in Hill from 
1815 to 1846, when he removed to B., where he d. 3 
June, 1861. He was colonel of militia. 
Emily, b. 12 Feb., 1809; m. E. K. Webster, m. d., of Hampstead. 

Wokcester'^ (William^), b. 1794; m., 1st, Polly Pettengill, of 
Salisbury ; 2d, Mary Jane, dau. of Hon. Silas Betton, 
and grand-daughter of Matthew Thornton, one of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Charles Williams, b, 14 Sept., 1826; m. Lucia M., dau. of John 
Greenough, of B. 

George Worcester, b. 1831; d. June, 1860. 

Mary Ann, b. July, 1839 ; m. Cbas. E. Johnson; resides in Brook- 
line, Mass. 

Eliphalet K., son of Eev. Josiah, of Hampstead, b. 3 May, 

1802; m. Emil}^, dau. of Col. Ebenezer Webster, of 

Salisbury. [See Biog.] 
Daniel Dana, h. 11 Feb., 1835 ; ra. Martha Susan, dau. of Dea. 

Joseph Pillsbury, of B. ; resides in Middlebury, Vt.; one 

g\\\\&,— Alice Emily, b. 1 Feb., 1870. 
Sarah Elizabeth, b. 3 Sept., 1837; m. Alfred Livingston, si. d., of 

Lowell, Mass.; one child. 
Emily Maria, b. 17 Jan., 1844. 
Editii, b. 24 Oct., 1868. 
Edward Knight, b. 5 Aug., 1848; merchant at Pittsfield, N. H. 



618 GENEALOGICAL WEBSTER. 



WEBSTEE. 

Compiled by Charlotte (Webster) Mace. 

Ebekezer, b. in Newbury, Vt., in 1778, on the "ox-bow" farm ; 
m. Betsey, dau. of Eben Wells, of New Hampton, in 
1802; moved to B., April, 1816 ; lived on Fish street, 
and afterwards near the church. In 1823 he built a 
house near the "Gulf," and lived there till 1847; d. 
in Piermont, 26 Sept., 1850. His wife, b. 1786, d. at 
B. 29 Dec, 1863. They had eight children. 

Parker^ b. 1803 ; d. in infancy. 

Parker, b. 21 June, 1805 ; m. Hannah, dau. of Elisha Drew, of 

Portsmouth, 10 May, 1827 ; d. in Concord, 13 Dec, 1863. 
Ephraim, b. 30 March, 1807 ; m. Elisabeth Stevens, of Manchester, 

1831; d. 23 June, 1851. 
Freeman, b. 12 Aug., 1809 ; m. Nancy, dau. of Nathan Emery, of 

Canterbury; resides in Concord. 
Betsey, b. 13 Sept., 1811 ; m. Wm. Campbell, of Manchester, 31 

Aug., 1812. 
Walter, h. 12 Sept., 1813; m. Catharine Stevens, of Plymouth, 

1838. 
Marilla B., b. 11 Sept., 1815; m. D. F. Lane, of Gilmanton, 3 

July, 1812. 
Mary P., b. 11 Aug., 1820; m. John Adams, April, 1818; d. 23 

April, 1S72. 



MISCELLANY. 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



^1 HE corporate existence of Boscawen began in 1760; that of 
^T Webster in 1860. In its centennial year the town was 
divided. The causes that brought about the division were many. 
The geographical features made a division practicable. Beaver 
dam, entering tlie town from the north and running due south, 
parallel with the eastern and western boundaries, would be a nat- 
ural dividing line. 

The changes brought about by the construction of the Northern 
and Concord & Claremont railroads, the changes of trade, — those 
living in Bashan doing their trading at Concord, those west of 
Long pond having more in common with Contoocook, or with 
Warner, than with Boscawen Plain, — were influences tending to 
a division. 

There was no bond of union, — no centralizing force. The 
meeting-house question had been a disturbing element as early 
as 1791 [see p. 137], when 71 citizens, living west of Beaver dam, 
had petitioned for a new town. The remodelling of the meeting- 
house on the Plain in 1840, making it necessary to hold the 
annual meetings at the West end two years in succession, brought 
up the question of a division once more. 

In civil history, important events are sometimes the outcome 

of insignificant causes. An influence more potent than those 

already cited was the purchase of a fire engine, to be located at 

Pisherville. Some of the voters of the West end were much 

40 



620 OFFICIAL HISTORY. 

incensed at such a disposition of the public funds. They com- 
plained that the vote was carried through after the majority had 
gone home. 

The growth of Fisherville, the increase of taxable property, the 
feeling of property-holders at the East end that the large number 
of bridges across the Blackwater was a burden, were influences 
that had weight with residents of the East end, who believed that 
it would be for their interest to have the town divided. 

Political and geographical considerations and party ascendency 
were disturbing elements. Erom 1824, when the po])ulation was 
sufficient to entitle the town to two representatives, the proper 
distribution of public offices among political aspirants was a 
disturbing element in political parties. Each section claimed 
its share. Sectional rivalries and personal jealousies wei'e engen- 
dered. 

These and other causes combined, finally resulted in a petition 
to the legislature from the residents, mainly at the East end, for 
a division, they retaining the name and the records. The peti- 
tion was resisted. It was felt to be a hardship by the majority 
at the West end to be thrust out in such a manner; to be cast off 
offensively ; to have a name forced upon them not of their choos- 
ing ; to be deprived of their inheritance in the historic fame of 
Boscawen, which had maintained its position during the Indian 
troubles of the colonial period, when other frontier towns, — Ho]d- 
kinton, Warner, and Salisbury, — were abandoned; to be cut off 
from a town that could number among its citizens men who had 
written their names large on the roll of honor. 

Whether the action of the petitioners was wise or unwise, 
whether the material interests of the communitj^ as a whole 
would be advanced or retarded, men did not stop to consider; 
passion crowded out reason ; the time had come for a division. In 
communities as well as in families, from the time of Abraham and 
Lot to the present day, separation is sometimes better than union. 
Possibly the citizens of the West end thought that their fellow- 
citizens of the East end did not emulate the example of the 
patriarch of the Hebrew race in bringing about the division ; and 
now, that time has thrown its mellowing influences over the trans- 
action, citizens of the East end may possibly see that a division 
might have been brought about with less irritation and bitterness. 





r'-^ , 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 621 

So, after one hundred j^ears of corporate existence, Boscawen 
cut off one half of its territory and established the town of Web- 
ster. 

It has been characteristic of the people^ from the first set- 
tlement, to select good men to conduct their public affairs. Sin- 
gularly fortunate has been their selection of town-clerk. Of all the 
original proprietors, not one probably possessed higher qualifica- 
tions for that office than Joseph Coffin, and when the plantation 
became a town, the man best qualified for the office, George Jack- 
man, was chosen, holding it from 1760 to 1796. 

Equally well qualified was Joel French, who held the office from 
1807 till his death in 1810. His successor, Samuel W. Lang, 
wlio held the position from 1810 to 1817, was the equal of his 
predecessors. From 1817 k) 1856, Hezekiah Fellows, a magis- 
trate who understood forms, pains-taking, methodical, a fair pen- 
man, kept the records. Thus, by choosing, in the main, compe- 
tent men for this office, the records of Boscawen have been pre- 
served almost intact. 

In the selection of selectmen the citizens have, with but few 
exceptions, chosen men who were competent to transact the busi- 
ness, aaid who were animated by a sincere desire to promote the 
interests of the 'town rather than their own aggrandisement. 
There has been but one notable exception, which occurred at the 
close of the last century, when all the worst elements in the com- 
munity united to obtain power. The leaders, Winthrop Carter 
and Thomas Thorla, were able men, and, through the influence 
they exercised, directed the affairs of the town during 1796 and 
1797. The first year, however, they were checkmated at every 
step by Enoch Little, — the second of the name in the town, — 
who was elected third selectman. In 1797, Carter, Thorla, and 
Daniel Shepard were elected, and managed as they pleased. Their 
accovints became confused, and there was a deficit which they could 
not explain. They were arraigned not only at the bar of public 
opinion, but before a committee of investigation. It was the old 
story : the men who had seized the ship could not manage it, and 
they were ignominiously thrown overboard the next year. With 
this exception the affairs of the town have been conducted with a 
fidelity that presents a pleasing contrast to the municipal man- 
agement of many other localities in these later years. 



622 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



The men who have been selected to represent the towns have 
been citizens of high character. CoL Henry Gerrisli, George Jack- 
man, Capt. Joseph Gerrish, Maj. Enoch Gerrish, and Capt. Ben- 
jamin Little, were tfie representatives of the last century. These 
five men represented the town from 1760 to 1801. 

During the first quarter of the present centur^^, such men as 
Timothy Dix, Caleb Knight, Ezekiel Webster, Joseph Little, 
Jeremiah Gerrish, Maj. Enoch Gerrish, and Col. Isaac Chandler, 
acted as legislators. Their successors in the next quarter were 
such men as Hezekiah Fellows, Col. John Farmer, Capt. Joseph 
Ames, John Greenough, Moses Fellows, Thomas Coffin, William 
H. Gage, Benjamin Kimball, Nathan Plummer, Abraham Bur- 
bank, Richard Gage, Simeon B. Little, Joseph Morrill, Rev. 
Ebenezer Price, Elbridge F. Greftiough, Abiel R. Chandler, 
Nathan Pearson, Jr., Thomas Gerrish, Luke Corser, Caleb Smith, 
and Calvin Gage. 

Of these, all but three are numbered among the dead, — their 
life-work over, — and the historian may freely speak of them. 
They were men who honored the town, who sought its welfare, 
who allowed no private interest or personal ambition to interfere 
with their public duties as legislators. This may be said with 
equal truth of those who since 1850 have represented the towns. 
The official record is a roll of honor. 

TOWN OFFICERS. 
M., moderator ; C, clerk; S., selectmen ; Del., delegate; Rep., representatives. 



1760. 



17G2 



M.' 


Joseph CofBn. 


M. 


Joseph Eastman. 


C. 


George Jackraan.* 


S. 


George Jackman, 


s. 


John Fowler, 




John Flanders, 




John Webster, 




Joseph Holt. 




Joseph Eastman. 






1761. 




1763. 




M. 


John Webster. 


M. 


John Fowler. 


S. 


John Webster, 


S. 


Joseph Hoit, 




Enos Bishop, 




Ephraim Plummer, 




George Jackman. 




Thomas Foss. 



* From 1760 to 1796 he was reelected. 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



623 



1764. 

M. John Fowler. 

S. George Jackman, 

Jesse Flanders, 
Oliver Fowler. 

1765. 

M. John Fowler. 

S. George Jackman, 

John Fowler, 
Jesse Flanders. 

1766. 

M. Joseph Eastman. 

S. Moses. Burbank, 

Moses Call, 
Henry Gerrish. 

1767. 

M. Jesse Flanders. 

S. Henry Gerrish, 

George Jackman, 
Jesse Flanders. 



1768. 
M. John Fowler. 

S. Henry Gerrish, 

Peter Kimball, 
Oliver Fowler. 



1769. 
M. Moses Morse. 

S. Capt. Henry Gerrish, 

Moses Morse, 
George Jackman. 

1770. 

M. Rev. Robie Morrill. 

S. Moses Morse, 

Henry Gerrish, 
Peter Kimball. 



1771. 
M. Moses Morse. 

S. Winthrop Carter, 

Moses Call, 

Moses Morse. 

1772. 

M. Capt. Henry Gerrish. 

S. George Jackman, 

Dea. Jesse Flanders, 
Samuel Muzzy. 

1773. 

M. Henry Gerrish. 

S. Ebenezer Hidden, 

Samuel Gerrish, 
George Jackman. 

1774. 

M. Peter Coffin. 

S. Samuel Muzzy, 

Peter Kimball, 
Jesse Flanders. 

Del. State Convention, 

Henry Gerrish. 

1775. 

M. Stephen Webster. 

S. Moses Call, 

Enoch Gerrish, 
George Jackman. 

Del. State Con., 

Henry Gerrish. 

1776. 
M. Robie Morrill. 

S. George Jackman, 

Cutting Noyes, 

John Eliot. 

1777. 
M. Henry Gerrish. 

S. George Jackman, 

John Eliot, 
Cutting Noyes. 



624 



OFFICIAL HISTORY, 



1778. 



M. 

S. 



Del. 



Henry Gerrish. 
George Jackinan, 
Lieut. Enoch Gerrish, 
Cutting Noyes, 
George Jackman. 



178i. 



M. 

S. 



Peter Kimball. 
Enoch Gerrish, 
Peter Kimball, 
George Jackman. 



1779. 



1785. 



M. 


Henry Gerrish. 


M. 


Ebenezer Hidden. 


S. 


George Jackman, 


S. 


Lieut. Enoch Gerrish, 




Enoch Gerrish, 




Benjamin Sweatt, 




Samuel Muzzy- 




George Jackman. 


Del. 


George Jackman, 
Henry Gerrish. 


Rep. 


George Jackman. 


1780. 




1786. 




M. 


Peter Kimball. 


M. 


Samuel Fowler. 


S. 


George Jackman, 


S. 


George Jackman, 




Stephen Webster, 




Benjamin Sweatt. 




Cutting Noyes. 




Lieut. Benjamin Jackman 


Eep. 


Henry Gerrish. 


Rep. 


George Jackman. 


1781. 




1787. 




M. 


Henry Gerrish. 


M. 


Henry Gerrish. 


S. 


George Jackman, 


S. 


Joseph Gerrish, 




Cutting Noyes, 




Peter Kimball, 




Capt. Peter Kimball. 




Benjamin Little. 


1782. 




1788. 




M. 


Peter Coffin. 


M. 


Henry Gerrish. 


S. 


George Jackman, 


S. 


Joseph Gerrish, 




Joseph Jackman, 




Cutting Noyes, 




David Corser. 




Peter Kimball. 






Rep. 


George Jackman, 






Del. to Convention, 








Henry Gerrish. 


1783. 




1789. 




M. 


Ebenezer Hidden. 


M. 


Peter Coffin. 


S. 


George Jackman, 


s. 


Joseph Gerrish, 




Isaac Pearson, 




Peter Kimball, 




David Corser. 




Benjamin Little. 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



625 



1790. 



1796. 



M. 


Joseph Gerrish. 


M. 


S. 


Joseph Gerrish, 


C. 




Peter Kimball, 


s. 




Benjamin Little. 




Rep. 


Heury Gerrish. 


Rep. 


1791. 




1797. 


M. 


Enoch Gerrish. 


M. 


S. 


Joseph Gerrish, 


C. 




Georsre Jackman, 


S. 



Samuel Ames, 

David Corser, 

Nathaniel Green. 
Rep. ITeury Gerrish. 
Del. to revise State Constitution, 

Nathaniel Green. 
1792. 



Rep. 



1798. 



M. 


Enoch Gerrish. 


M. 


S. 


Benjamin Little, 


C. 




Enoch Gerrish, 


S. 




Lieut. John Chandler. 




Rep. 


Enoch Gerrish. 


Rep. 


1793. 




1799. 


M. 


Henry Gerrish. 


M. 


S. 


Joseph Gerrish, 


C. 




Benjamin Little, 


S. 




George Jackman. 




Rep. 


Enoch Gerrish. 


Rep. 


1794. 




1800, 


M. 


Henry Gerrish. 


M. 


s. 


Joseph Gerrish, 


C. 




Benjamin Little, 


S. 




George Jackman. 




Rep. 


Enoch Gerrish. 


Rep. 


1795. 




1801 


M. 


Joseph Gerrish. 


M. 


S. 


Joseph Gerrish, 


C. 




Enoch Little, 


s. 




George Jackman. 




Rep. 


Benjamin Little. 





Rep. 



Thomas Thorla. 
Tristram Noyes. 
Winthrop Carter, 
Thomas Thorla, 
Enoch Little. 
Benjamin Little. 

Thomas Thorla. 
Tristram Noyes. 
Winthrop Carter, 
Thomas Thorla, 
Daniel Shepard. 
Enoch Gerrish. 



Enoch Gerrish. 
George Jackman, 
Enoch Gerrish, 
Timothy Dix, Jr., 
Joseph Little. 
Enoch Gerrish. 

Maj. Enoch Gerrish. 
George Jackman. 
Enoch Gerrish, 
Timothy Dix, Jr., 
Joseph Little. 
Maj. Joseph Gerrish. 

Thomas Thorla. 
Samuel Choate. 
Benjamin Jackman, 
Joseph Couch, 
Caleb Knight. 
Enoch Gerrish. 

Nathaniel Green. 
Samuel Choate. 
Benjamin Jackman, 
Joseph Couch, 
Caleb Knight. 
Timothy Dix, Jr. 



626 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



1802. 




1808. 




M. 


Nathaniel Green. 


M. 


Joseph Gerrish. 


c. 


Phinehas Bailey. 


C. 


Joel French. 


s. 


Joseph Couch, 


S. 


Capt. Somersby Pearson, 




Nathaniel Green, 




Ezekiel Morse, 




Samuel Muzzy. 




Stephen Gerrish. 


Eep. 


Timothy Dix, Jr. 


Rep. 


Enoch Gerrish. 


1803. 




1809. 




M. 


Enoch Gerrish. 


M. 


Joseph Gerrish. 


C. 


Joseph Couch. 


C. 


Joel French. 


S. 


Nathaniel Green, 


S. 


Stephen Gerrish, 




Nathan Davis, 




Joseph H. Morrill, 




Benjamin Jackman. 




Peletiah Peasley. « 


Rep. 


Timothy Dix, Jr. 


Rep. 


Enoch Gerrish. 


1804. 




1810. 




M. 


Nathaniel Green. 


M. 


Joseph Gerrish. 


C. 


Joseph Couch. 


C. 


Samuel W. Lang. 


s. 


Benjamin Jackman, 


S. 


Stephen Gerrish, 




Isaac Chandler, 




Joseph Little, 




Joseph Little. 




Thomas Coffin. 


Rep. 


Timothy Dix, Jr. 


Rep. 


Ezekiel "Webster. 


1805. 




1811. 




M. 


Col. Joseph Gerrish. 


M. 


Col. Joseph Gerrish. 


C. 


Caleb Putney. 


C. 


Samuel W. Lang. 


s. 


Benjamin Jackman, 


S. 


Thomas Coffin, 




Joseph Little, 




Benjamin Little, 




Maj. Isaac Chandler. 




Joel French. 


Rep. 


Caleb Knight. 


Rep. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


1806. 




1812. 




M. 


Joseph Gerrish. 


M. 


Isaac Chandler. 


c. 


Samuel Choate. 


C. 


Samuel W. Lang. 


S. 


Joseph Little, 


S. 


Nathan Chandler, 




Daniel Pillsbury, 




Joseph Ames, 




Joseph H. Morrill. 




Capt. Moses Gerrish. 


Rep. 


Benjamin Little. 


Rep. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


1807. 




1813. 




M. 


Joseph Gerrish. 


M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


C. 


Joel French. 


C. 


Samuel W. Lang. 


S. 


Daniel Pillsbury, 


S. 


Capt. Moses Gerrish, 



Rep. 



Joseph Little, 

Capt. Somersby Pearson. 

Benjamin Little. 



Rep. 



Joseph Ames, 
Nathan Chandler. 
Ezekiel AVebster. 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



627 



1814. 



1820. 



M. 


Ezekiel AYebster. 


M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


C. 


Samuel W. Lang. 


S. 


Nehemiah Cogswell, 


s. 


Capt. Moses Gerrish, 




Samuel Little, 




Joseph Ames, 




Isaac Gerrish. 




Isaac Grerrish. 


Rep. 


Isaac Chandler. 


Rep. 


Ezekiel Webster. 






1815. 




1821. 




M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


C. 


Samuel W. Lang. 


S. 


Samuel Little, 


S. 


Isaac Gerrish, 




Moses Gerrish, 




Jesse Little, 




Isaac Pearson. 




Josepli II. Morrill. 


Rep. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


Hep. 


Joseph Little. 






1'816. 




1822. 




M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


c. 


Samuel W. Lang. 


s. 


Samuel Little, 


S. 


Maj. ]\[oses Gerrish, 




Moses Gerrish, 




Daniel Pillsbury, 




Isaac Pearson. 




Nathan Chandler. 


Rep. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


Rep. 


Joseph Little. 






1817. 




1823. 




M. 


Enoch Little. 


M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


C. 


Hezekiah Fellows.* 


S. 


Col. Moses Gerrish, 


S. 


Maj. Moses Gerrish, 




John Farmer, 




Daniel Pillsbury, 




Thomas Gerrish. 




Nehemiah Cogswell. 


Rep. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


Rep. 


Jeremiah Gerrish. 






1818. 




1824, 




M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


S. 


Col. Moses Gerrish, 


S. 


John Farmer, 



Nehemiah Cogswell, 
Samuel B. Gerrish. 
Rep. Jeremiah Gerrish. 

1819. 

M. Ezekiel Webster. 

S. Nehemiah Cogswell, 

Joseph Couch, 
Daniel Pillsbury. 

Rep. Isaac Chandler. 



Rep. 



1825. 



M. 

S. 



Rep. 



Nehemiah Cogswell, 
Moses Fellows. 
Ezekiel Webster, 
Hezekiah Fellows. 

Ezekiel Webster. 
John Farmer, 
Moses Fellows, 
William II. Gage. 
Ezekiel Webster, 
Hezekiah Fellows. 



* From this date to 1854 he was reelected. 



628 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



1826. 



1832. 



M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


S. 


Moses Fellows, 




William H. Gage, 




Joseph Couch, Jr. 


Rep. 


Hezekiah Fellows, 




Joseph Ames. 


1827. 




M. 


John Farmer. 


S. 


Moses Fellows, 




William H. Gage, 




Joseph Couch, Jr. 


Rep. 


Ezekiel Webster, 




John Farmer. 


1828. 




M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


S. 


Moses Fellows, 




Reuben Johnson, 




Simeon B. Little. 


Rep. 


Ezekiel Webster, 




John Farmer. 


1829. 




M. 


Ezekiel Webster. 


S. 


Moses Fellows, 




Simeon B. Little, 




Thomas Gerrish. 


Rep. 


John Farmer, 




John Greenough. 


1830. 




M. 


John Farmer. 


S. 


Moses Fellows, 



Rep. 



1831. 



S. 



Rep. 



Simeon B. Little, 
Thomas Gerrish. 
John Greenough, 
Moses Fellows, 

John Farmer, 
Moses Fellows, 
Simeon B. Little, 
Thomas Gerrish. 
Moses Fellows, 
Thomas Coffin. 



M. 


John Farmer. 


S. 


Moses Fellows, 




William H. Gage, 




Wyatt Boyden. 


Rep. 


Moses Fellows. 


1833. 




M. 


John Farmer. 


S. 


Moses Fellows, 




William H. Gage, 




Wyatt Boyden. 


Rep. 


William H. Gage. 


1834. 




M. 


John Farmer. 


S. 


Wyatt Boyden, 




Abraham Burbank, 




Hale Atkinson. 


Rep. 


John Farmer, 




Benjamin Kimball. 


1835. 




M. 


John Farmer. 


S. 


Abraham Burbank, 




Hale Atkinson, 




Moses Fellows. 


Rep. 


John Farmer, 




Moses Fellows. 


1836. 




M. 


Moses Fellows, 


S. 


Simeon Little, 




Moses Fellows, 




John C. Cogswell. 


Rep. 


Nathan Plummer, 




William H. Gage. 


1837. 




M. 


Moses Fellows. 


S. 


Simeon B. Little, 



Rep. 



Moses Fellows, 
John C. Cogswell. 
Nathan Plummer, 
Abraham Burbank. 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



629 



1838. 



18M. 



M. 

S. 



Rep. 



Moses Fellows. 
Simeon B. Little, 
Jeremiah Noyes, 
"William M. Kimball. 
Abraliam Burbank, 
Richard Gage. 



1839. 



Thomas Elliot, 
William H. Gage. 
Rep. Abiel R. Chandler, 
Nathan Pearson, Jr. 



M. 
S. 



Rep. 



1845. 



M. 


Simeon B. Little. 


M. 


S. 


William M. Kimball, 
Moses Fellows, 
Thomas Little. 


S. 


Rep. 


Richard Gage, 
Simeon B. Little. 


Rep. 


1840. 




1846. 


M. 


Simeon B. Little. 


M. 


S. 


Thomas Little, 
Wj^att Boyden, 
Abiel R. Chandler. 


S. 


Rep. 


Simeon B. Little, 
Joseph Morrill. 


Rep. 


1841. 




1847. 


M. 


Simeon B. Little. 


M. 


S. 


Wyatt Boyden, 
Abiel Chandler, 
Nathan Pearson. 


S. 


Rep. 


Joseph Morrill, 
Rev. Ebenezer Price. 


Rep. 


1842. 




1848. 


M. 


Simeon B. Little. 


M. 


s. 


Abiel R. Chandler, 
Nathan Pearson, 
Wyatt Boyden. 


S. 


Rep. 


Rev. Ebenezer Price, 
Elbridge F. Greenough. 


Rep. 


1843. 




1849. 


M. 


Simeon B. Little. 


M. 


S. 


Benjamin F. Kimball, 


S. 



Rep. 



Simeon B. Little. 
Caleb Smith, 
Samuel M. Durgin, 
Friend L. Burbank. 
Nathan Pearson, Jr., 
Abiel R. Chandler. 

Moody A. Pillsbury, 
Caleb Smith, 
Thomas Elliot, 
Eliphalet Kilburn. 
Thomas Gerrish, 
Luke Corser. 

Simeon B. Little. 
Caleb Smith, 
Samuel M. Durgin, 
Friend L. Burbank. 
Thomas Gerrish, 
Luke Corser. 

Simeon B. Little- 
Hale Atkinson, 
Samuel M. Durgin, 
Calvin Gage. 
Abraham Burbank, 
Caleb Smith. 

Caleb Smith. 
Eliphalet Kilburn, 
Abiel R. Chandler, 
Friend L. Burbank. 
Abraham Burbank, 
Caleb Smith. 

Simeon B. Little. 
Hale Atkinson, 
Abiel R. Chandler, 
Albert Danforth. 
Calvin Gage. 



630 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



1850. 

M. Simeon B. Little. 

S. Hale Atkinson, 

Abner Sargent, 
Simeon B. Little. 

Rep. Calvin Gage, 
Paul Pearson. 

1851. 

M. Simeon B. Little. 

S. Simeon B. Little, 

Dan S. Balch, 
David A. Gerrish. 

Rep. Paul Pearson, 
Abiel Gerrish. 

1852. 

M. Simeon B. Little. 

S. Simeon B. Little, 

David A. Gerrish, 
Hale Atkinson. 

Rep. Abiel Gerrish, 

Friend L. Burbank. 

1853. 
M. Simeon B. Little. 

S. Simeon B. Little, 

David A. Gerrish. 

Hale Atkinson. 
Rep. Friend L. Burbank, 

John C. Gage. 

1854. 

M. Simeon B. Little. 

S. Abner Sargent, 

Caleb Smith, 
Hale Atkinson. 

Rep. John C. Gage, 
Enoch Little. 



1855. 

M. Simeon B. Little. 

C. Franklin P. Atkinson. 

S. Francis S. French, 

Moses Whittier, 

Ira Sweatt. 
Rep. Albert Runnels, 

Abner B. "Winn. 

1856. 

M. Simeon B. Little. 

C. Franklin P. Atkinson. 

S. Francis S. French, 

Moses Whittier, 

Ira Sweatt. 
Rep. Albert Runnels, 

Abner B. Winn. 

1857. 
M. Enoch Gerrish. 

C. George W. Stevens. 

S. Abner Sargent, 

Hale Atkinson, 

Caleb Smith. 
Rep. Francis S. French, 

William M. Sweatt. 

1858. 

M. Enoch Gerrish. 

C. David E. Burbank. 

S. Moses Whittier, 

Enoch Gerrish, 
David A. Gerrish. 

Rep. Francis S. French, 
William M. Sweatt. 

1859. 
M. Enoch Gerrish. 

C. David L. Burbank. 

S. Enoch Gerrish, 

Moses Gill, 

Jeremiah S. Webber. 
Rep. Moses Whittier, 

Thaddeus O. Wilson. 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



631 



18G0. 

M, Enoch Gerrisli. 

C. David E. Burbank. 

S. Enoch Gerrish, 

Jeremiah S. Webber, 
Ahiion Harris. 

Rep. Moses Whittier, 

Thaddeus O. Wilson. 



1865. 
M. Franklin C. Morrill. 



C. 

S. 



Rep. 



Calvin M. Chadwick. 
Nehemiah Butler, 
George Knowles, 
Samuel Choate. 
David A. Gerrish. 



1861. 




1866. 




M. 


Isaac K. Gage. 


M. 


Franklin C. Morrill, 


C. 


Isaiah H. Arey. 


C. 


Charles Smith. 


s. 


Almon Harris, 


S. 


Enoch G. Wood, 




Francis S. French, 




Healey Morse, 




Ilale Atkinson. 




James H. Gill. 


Rep. 


Luther Gage. 


Rep. 


David A. Gerrisli. 



1862. 

^I. Nathan B. Greene. 

C. Isaiah H. Arey. 

S. Almon Harris, 

Francis S. French, 
Peter Coffin. 

Rep. Luther Gage. 



1867, 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 



Isaac K. Gage. 
Charles Smith. 
Enoch G. Wood, 
Healey Morse, 
James H. Gill. • 

Franklin C. Morrill. 



1863. 



1868. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 



Jonathan Tenney. 
Isaiah H. Arey. 
Nehemiah Butler, 
Peter Coffin, 

George Knowles. 

Almon Harris. 



1864. 

M. Franklin C. Morrill. 

C. Isaiah H. Arey. 

S. Nehemiah Butler, 

George Knowles, 
Samuel Choate. 

Rep. Almon Harris. 



M. 
0. 

s. 



Rep. 



1869. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 



Franklin C. Morrill. 
Charles E. Chadwick. 
Nehemiah Butler, 
Ezra S. Harris, 
Bradley Atkinson. 
Franklin C. Morrill. 



Franklin C. Morrill. 
Charles E. Chadwick. 

Ezra S. Harris, 
Luther Gage, 
Bradley Atkinson. 
Nehemiah Butler. 



632 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



1870. 



1874. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 



Thaddeus O. Wilson. 
Charles E Chadwick. 
Nehemiah Butler, 
Hamilton P. Gill, 
Joseph G. Eastnaan. 
Nehemiah Butler. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Kep. 



David F. Kimball. 
Charles E. Chadwick. 
Nehemiah Butler, 
Marcus K. Howser, 
Samuel B. Chadwick. 
Marcus K. Howser. 



1871. 



1875. 



M. 


Thaddeus 0. Wilson. 


M. 


David F. Kimball. 


C. 


John Seavey. 


C. 


Charles E. Chadwick, 


S. 


Calvin Gage, 


s. 


Nehemiah Butler, 




John E. nines, 




Joseph G. Eastman, 




Enoch G. Wood. 




Austin G. Kimball. 


Rep. 


Enoch G. Wood. 


Rep. 


Marcus K. Howser. 



1872. 



1876. 



M. 
C. 

s. 



R(^. 



David F. Kimball. 
Charles E. Chadwick. 
David F. Kimball, 
Marcus K. Howser, 
Samuel B. Chadwick. 
Daniel Y. Bickford. 



M. 

C. 

s. 



Rep. 



Calvin Gage. 
George A. Morse. 
John C. Gage, 
Enoch G. Wood, 
Caleb C. Hall. 
Nathaniel S. Webster. 



1873. 



1877. 



M. 
C. 
S. 



Rep. 



David F. Kimball. 
Charles E. Chadwick. 
David F. Kimball, 
Marcus K. Howser, 
Samuel B. Chadwick. 
Daniel Y. Bickford. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 



Thaddeus O. Wilson. 
Charles E. Chadwick. 
John C. Gage, 
Caleb C. Hall, 
Luther Gage. 
Nathaniel S. Webster. 



1878. 



M. 
C. 

s. 



Rep. 



David F. Kimball. 
Charles E. Chadwick. 
Luther Gage, 
Charles W. Hardy, 
Marcus K. Howser. 
Peter Coffin. 



OFFICIAL HISTORY. 



633 



TOWX OFFICERS OF WEBSTER. 



The act incorporating the town of Webster was passed at the 
June session of the legiskture, LS60, Jeremiah S. Webber and 
Joseph L. Couch being empowered to call the first town-meeting, 
which was held August, 1860. 



] 860. 
M. Simeon H. Little. 

C. David E. Burbank. 

S. Nathan Pearson, 

Jeremiah S. Webber, 
Albert Runnels. 



1861. 



M. 

C. 

S. 



Rep. 



Simeon B. Little. 
David E. Burbank. 
Jereiniali S. ^Vebber, 
Albert Runnels, 
George Little. 
Albert Runnels. 



1862. 



M. Simeon B. Little. 

C. David E. Burbank. 

S. George Little, 

AVriliam D. Call, 
David A. JVlacurdy. 
* 

1863. 

M. Simeon B. Little. 

C. Atherton Sweatt. 

S. George Little, 

William D. Call, 
John C. Pearson. 

Rep. Jeremiah S. Webber. 

1864. 

M. Simeon B. Little. 

C. Atherton Sweatt. 

S. WiUiam D. Call, 

John C. Pearson, 
Hiram G. Stone. 

Rep. George Little. 



1865. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 

1866. 
M. 



1867. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 

1868. 
M. 
C. 

s. 



Rep. 

1869, 
M. 
C. 
S. 



Eep. 



Simeon B. Little. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
John C. Pearson, 
Hi ram G. Stone, 
Henry H. Gerrish. 
George Little. 

Simeon B. Little. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
Hi rain G. Stone, 
Henry H. Gerrish, 
Sherman Little. 
No Rep. 

Joseph L. Couch. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
John Colby, 
John Sanborn, 
D. C. Hubbard. 
William D. Call. 

David A. Macurdy. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
Sherman Little, 
William W. Austin, 
Atherton Sweatt. 
AViUiam D. Call. 

David A. Macurdy. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
Sherman Little, 
WiUiam W. Austin, 
Atherton Sweatt. 
David A. Macurdy. 



♦After 



many ballots for representative without choice, the town voted not to send. 



634 



OFFICIAL HISTORY, 



1870. 

M. David A. Macurdy. 

C. Atherton Sweatt. 

S. Charles E. Kimball, 

Joseph L. Couch, 
Atherton Sweatt. 



1874. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Eep. 



Sherman Little. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
AVilliam W. Burbank, 
Charles C. Kimball, 
George Little. 
Albee C. Sweatt. 



1871. 



1875. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 



David S. Corser. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
Charles E. Kimball, 
P. F. S. Clark, 
C. Sweatt. 
John C. Pearson. 



M. 
C. 

s. 



Rep. 



Sherman Little. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
Charles C. Kimball, 
Hiram G. Stone, , 
James L. Gerrish. 
Sherman Little. 



1872. 



1876. 



M. 
C. 

s. 



Rep. 



David S. Corser. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
Albe C. Sweatt, 
P. F. S. Clark, 
William W. Burbank. 
John C. Pearson. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 



Sherman Little. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
Charles C. Kimball, 
James L. Gerrish, 
James M. Snyder. 
Sherman Little. 



1873. 



1877. 



M. 
C. 

s. 



Rep. 



Sherman Little. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
Atherton Sweatt, 
P. F. S. Clark, 
William W. Burbank. 
Albee C. Sweatt. 



M. 
C. 

S. 



Rep. 



Sherman Little. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
James L. Gerrish, 
James M. Snyder, 
William W. Austin. 
Charles C. Kimball. 



1878. 



M. 
C. 

s. 



Rep. 



Sherman Little. 
Atherton Sweatt. 
James M. Snyder, 
William W. Austin, 
Moody A. Pillsbury. 
Charles C. Kimball. 




^' (fh.^jtxjiZ^ 



POPULATION — ELEVATIONS. 635 

POPULATION. 

The first census of the town was that of 1767 [p. 99], 285 
inhabitants. In 1783, when the first census after the Kevolution 
was taken, the number was 756 [p. 128]. The first census of the 
general government was in 1790. Tlie returns are as follows : 



1767, 


285 


1830, 


2003 


1783, 


756 


1840, 


1965 


1790, 


1108 


1850, 


2063 


1800, 


1414 


1860, 


1458* 


1810, 


1829 


1870, 


1637 


1820, 


2116 







WEBSTER. 

1860, 817 I 1870, 689 

ELEVATIONS. 

The "Geology of New Hampshire," by Prof. C. H. Hitchcock, 
vol. 1, contains a chapter on altitudes in the state, that have been 
obtained accurately by the various railroad surveys, — others less 
accurately by barometrical measurements made by the Geological 
Survey, and by the trigonometrical measurements of the United 
States Coast Survey. The measurements are aboA^e tide-water, 
and those along the Northern Railroad are made on the top of the 
rail at the various localities. They are given in feet and hun- 
dredths of feet : 

Feet. 
Fisherville bridge, leading to Duston island, 267.89 

Boscawen depot, 273.89 

North Boscawen depot, 290.01 

The altitudes along the Blackwater were obtained by surveys 
made in 1845, and again in 1871 : 

Feet. 

Mast Yard (in Concord), 374.57 

Dingit corner, 479.90 

Blackwater river, near mill above Dingit corner, 442.96 

Bank of river on level land near residence of Orlando Fitts, 508.80 

Bank of river above Blackwater mills, 555.00 

North hne of Webster, 568.72 

* Town divided . 

41 



636 HEALTH. 

The United States Coast Survey, by trigonometrical measure- 
ments made from the station on Kearsarge mountain, gives two 
measurements in Webster : 

Feet. 
Blackwater mills, 555.00 

Corser bill meeting-house, 786.00 

The highest land in Webster is the liill west of the residence of 
Cajjt. William D. George, which probably has an elevation of be- 
tween 900 and 1,000 feet. Mount Washington is plainly seen 
from that point in a clear atmosphere. The AVhite Mountains 
may also be seen from the residence of Peter M. Chadwick, in 
Boscawen, and probably from other localities. 

As the Merrimack foi'ms the eastern and the Contoocook skirts 
the southern boundaries, the lowest elevation is at the junction of 
the two streams, 267.89 feet above tide-water. Nearly all the ter- 
ritory — all except the intervale of the Merrimack — has an elevation 
exceeding 300 feet; while Clark's hill. Upper High street, K'orth 
Water street. Cook's hill. Little hill, and Sanborn's hill, have ele- 
vations approaching 1,000 feet. 

HEALTH. 

A territory like that comprised in the seven miles square grant- 
ed to the proprietors of Contoocook, diversified by hills and vales, 
with a primitive geological formation, with an altitude varying 
from 300 to 1,000 feet above the sea, with pure water flowing 
from innumerable springs and everywhere obtainable, never will 
be subject to malarial disease, or epidemic of any kind, if proper 
attention be given to hygienic laws. 

A record of mortality was kept by Eev. Ebenezer Price from 
1808 to 1837, and is preserved in the records for 1841. The least 
number of deaths in any one year was in 1809, when there were 
but nine deaths in a population of 1,800. The greatest mortality 
was in 1825, when the deaths numbered 57 in a population of 
about 2,200. The average number of deaths per annum was 27. 
One third of the deaths during the period were of children under 
five years of age, and one half of the deaths were of persons under 
25. The disease most prevalent among adults was consumption, 



INDUSTRIES. 637 

which from 1822 to 1837 had an increasing ratio, — 110 persons 
having died of that disease, or one eiglith of the total number of 
deaths. Persons arriving at the age of 55 had a prospect of lon- 
gevity. In 1836 and 1837 seven persons died whose united ages 
amounted to 590 years, — an average of 81 years. In 1838 there 
were living in town 20 jiersons between 80 and 94 years of age, 
whose united ages amounted to 1,716 years, an average of nearly 
87 years per individual. 

INDUSTRIES. 

Boscawen and Webster are classed as agricultural towns, but 
they have also had a fair share of industrial pursuits. Rev. Mr. 
Price, writing in 1820, thus speaks of the industries of the town 
at that period : 

" There are in this town seventeen saw-mills, five corn-mills, — three 
of which have two runs of stones, and all furnished with bolts, — four 
fulling-mills, five carding-machines, two mills for grinding tanners' 
bark, one trip-hammer, one mill for turning cart-wheel hubs and felloes, 
and one for grinding lead for potters' ware." 

LUMBER. 

A chief industry from the first settlement of tlie town was the 
manufacture of lumber. The original forest growth was very 
dense, consisting of white and Norway pine, white and red oah, 
chestnut, ash, white, red, and brown elm, hemlock, poplar, bass, 
maple, and other woods. Of pine lumber thousands of masts, 
spars, and bowsprits were rafted down the Merrimack, or turned 
adrift in the Contoocook, to run the falls during the periods of high 
water. The " Mast Yard " station on the Concord & Claremont 
Railroad has derived its name from the fact that the bank of the 
Contoocook at that point was a place of deposit for the many 
masts drawn thither from the pine woods of Bashan, and the ad- 
joining territory of Concord and Hopkinton. 

The sawed lumber was rafted at different points along the Mer- 
rimack, especially in the bend above Canterbury bridge. For a 
period of more than half a century the ground now occupied by 
the main and side tracks of the Northern Railroad was jiiled, in 
winter, with lumber, round logs, oak and pine ship-timber, masts 
and spars, that were rafted to Medford ; — in summer, the same 



638 



INDUSTRIES. 



ground was covered with huge piles of planks, boards, shingles, 
clapboards, and laths. The planks and boards were rafted in 
cribs, suitable for passing the locks at various points, and the 
shingles, clapboards, and laths were taken as "top-loading." The 
markets were Lowell and Boston. 

Early in the century a large business was done in the manufac- 
ture of staves for sugar and molasses hogsheads, and beef and 
pork barrels. They were made up into "shooks," each shook 
containing the staves of a single barrel or hogshead. The mar- 
ket, before the construction of the jMiddlesex canal between the 
Merrimack and Boston, was at NewburyjDort. A "culler" of 
staves was an important town officer, annually elected, who in- 
spected the " shocks." The shooks were taken down the Merri- 
mack as top-loading on rafts. Coopering, from the Revolution to 
the year 1830, was a distinct industry, furnishing emjiloyment to 
a large number of persons. 

MILLS. 

The saw-mills existing in 1820 were thus located : One on the 
Contoocook at Fisherville ; one on j\Iill lirook ; one in the "Hollow," 
on the site of the first mill erected in the town ; one on the site 
now owned by Hannibal Flanders ; one near Long street, on land 
now owned by Jeremiah C. Chadwick ; one on Pond brook ; one on 
the site of the second mill erected in town, south of Great pond ; 
one near the residence of Joseph Burpee ; one owned by Gren. M. 
A. Pillsbury ; one by Enoch Pillsbury ; and one on the site now 
owned by Harvey Chase. At North Boscawen was a mill on the 
brook emptying into the Merrimack south of the county farm, 
and one on Stirrujj-iron brook. On the Blackwater was one on 
the site near the residence of Samuel Little ; one a mile north of 
Dingit corner ; one on the site now occupied by F. L. & W. W. 
Burbank ; one on Knight's Meadow brook ; and one at the out- 
let of Long pond. On Cold brook there was a mill with a large 
overshot wheel, the flume supplying it being carried over the 
highway leading south from the cemetery to Queen street. It 
was built by David Jackman. 

The corn-mills, existing in 1820, were located, — one in the 
" Hollow ; " one on the site now owned by Hannibal Flanders ; 
Sweatt & Gookin's, on the Blackwater; and a mill with one run of 
stones, on Pond brook, owned by Gen. M. A. Pillsbury. 



INDUSTRIES. 



639 



The fulling and clotli-dressiug mills were Gage's, at Fislierville, 
Durgin's, in the " Hollow,"— the first established in town, hy 
Dea. Isaac Pearson, — and " Sweatt's," on the Blackwater. 

The carding-machines were in the same localities. The first 
carding-machine in the United States was set up by Arthur 
Scolfield, a machinist who came from England and settled in 
Pittsfield, Mass., in the year 1800. England at that time was in- 
tent upon building up her manufacturing industries, and prohib- 
ited the carrying out of that country machinists' tools. The 
baggage of every passenger was rigorously searched, so that Scol- 
field came without his tools ; but being ingenious, and possessing a 
retentive memory, he made his tools as he needed them, and built 
a machine for carding. At that time all carding was done by 
hand; and men and women during the long winter evenings spent 
their time in carding, seated around the wide-mouthed fireplaces. 
The Pittsfield Sun, of ^NTo. 2, 1801, contains the following adver- 
tisement of the first machine in the United States : 

"Arthur Scolfield respectfully informs the inhabitants of Pittsfield 
and the neighboring towns that he has a carding-machine half a mile 
west of the meeting-house, where they may have their wool carded into 
rolls for twelve and a half 'cents a pound; mixed, fifteen cents per 
pound. If they find grease and pick the grease in, it will be ten cents 
a pound; and twelve and a half for mixed." 

" Mixed " has reference to black and white wools, and " picking 
the grease in " has reference to the lubrication of the wool, neces- 
sary for carding and spinning. Carding by machinery soon su- 
perseded hand carding to a great extent, though the compiler of 
this history can recall the days of hand carding, and once saw 
Kev. Dr. Wood using the cards and studying at the same time his 
next Sunday's sermon. 

The first carding-machines in Boscawen were probably set up 
about 1810-1812. A carding-mill was a building, which, besides 
its machinery, contained a large pile of wool done up in blankets, 
old counterpanes, and rugs, and a pot containing the unsavory 
dye, which must be kept in a warm place to bring it to perfection. 

SPIXXING AND WEAVING. 

Spinning was done by hand. Twelve to fifteen skeins per day 
was considered a good day's work, though there were housewives 



640 INDUSTRIES. 

who could spin twenty. Thirteen skeins were equivalent to three 
and eight one hundreths miles of thread, in spinning which the 
spinner walked about five mi4es. Having spun the wool into 
yarn, that designed for the warp was placed upon the reel and 
wound upon large spools, which were in turn placed in a form, 
and from thence transferred to the "warping bars." As many 
spools were used as there were threads in the proposed warp. 
From the "bars" the \farp was transferred to the loom, wound 
upon the "beam," and drawn through the "harness" and the reed, 
and was ready for the weaver. 

The " filling" or weft was spun differently from the warp, with 
more or less hardness, according to the quality of cloth desired. 
It was transferred from the skein to "quills" made from elder 
stocks, which were used in the shuttle. The preparation of the 
weft was far less arduous work than the preparation of the warp. 
To weave checks and stripes, much care was required in the prep- 
aration of both warp and weft, and in the weaving. The produc- 
tion of a web of cloth was quite an event in the household. Dyed 
clothes were dyed in the wool, in the skein, or in tlie web. Cloth 
dyed in the wool usually held its color best. The aphorism in 
common use, in regard to a man whose. principles are fixed, that 
"he is dyed in the wool," had its origin in this process of dyeing. 

SPINNING BY MACHINERY. 

Early in the century, between 1810 and 1815, Mr. Benjamin 
Pritchard established a new industry, the spinning of cotton yarn. 
He erected a building on the mill-site now owned by Hannibal 
Flanders, and spun yarn by machinery. The building was subse- 
quently moved to a site north of Ambrose's tavern, and was used 
as a shop for the manufacture of carriages, and is now a dwelling- 
house in Fisherville. The yarn spun by Mr. Pritchard was used 
for warp by the housewives in the manufacture of satinets. 

The establishment of manufactures of cotton and woollen goods 
by machinery throughout the country brought about an entire 
change in the domestic industries. The spinning-wheel and loom 
disappeared from the household ; the bumping of the fulling-mill 
no longer was heard ; the dye-pots were banished from the hearth- 
stones ; and the carders and cloth-dressers were forced to turn 
their attention to new occupations. 




Carding and Spinning, 



INDUSTRIES. 



PALM-LEAF HATS. 



641 



Tlie industry that in part took the place of spinning and weav- 
ing was the braiding of pahn-leaf hats. The pahn-leaf was pur- 
chased in bales by the traders, who supplied it to families who 
split and braided it into hats. The industry was not a universal 
one. The merchants paid cash only in part, making, of course, a 
large profit on the goods sold. Families in comfortable circum- 
stances would not engage in an employment in which they would 
be at the mercy of the merchant, who, though he might be scru- 
pulously honest, yet could fix his own profit and their measure of 
o-ain. It was a jug with only one handle, and that in the hands 
of the merchant. Notwithstanding this drawback, the industry 
gave employment to a large number of women and girls, who 
otherwise had little chance of earning money. 

SHOES. 

■Following this industrj^, was the manufacture of shoes. This 
enterprise, which had long been a leading industry in Massachu- 
setts and along the sea-coast towns of New Hampshire, did not 
gain a foothold in Boscawen till about 1842. The leather, — upper 
and sole, — cut into desired patterns, with linings and bindings, 
was taken into the farmers' houses, and shops. The stitching and 
binding were done by women and girls, and the bottoming by the 
men and boys, who purchased their shoe-pegs by the peck, and 
their nails by the pound. Many farmers, who never had learned 
anything of shoe-making, turned their attention to pegging shoes ; 
but the trade demanded better work, and it was discovered that 
"system" was necessary to secure the best results in manufac- 
ture : hence a change in the industry. About 1850, the manu- 
facture, instead of being carried on by the community at large, 
became concentrated, and the workmen were brought together in 
shops. For a few years Boscawen Plain was a shoe manufactur- 
ing village ; but the introduction of machinery into the manufac- 
ture in Massachusetts, and the distance of Boscawen from the 
great centre of New England trade, operated to break down the 
industry, which never has revived. 



642 



INDUSTRIES. 



HATS. 



The manufacture of beaver and felt hats in the early decades of 
the century gave employment to many men in the community at 
large. There were two hat establishments in Boscawen, — Mr. 
Jacob Hosmer's, on the Plain, and Mr. Columbus George's, White 
Plain. They purchased mink and muskrat skins of the farmers, 
and also made silk and wool hats, finding a market at the countr}' 
stores, or manufacturing to a citizen's order. The compiler of this 
history has a distinct recollection of having a hat made to order 
and fitted to his head in the shop of Mr. Hosmer. 

POTTEKY. 

Queen's-ware was manufactured for many years in Boscawen 
by Jeremiah Burpee. His establishment stood on the spot now 
occupied by the residence of John Eines. During the bright 
summer days, travellers on the turnpike were accustomed to see a 
white horse going his rounds, attached to the sweep of the clay- 
mill, while through an open window of the shop they saw Mr. 
Burpee and his sons fashioning milk-jars and cream-pots and jugs 
upon the swiftly revolving wheels. Upon long boards on the 
southern side of the shop were rows of manufactured articles 
drying in the sun. Later in the season, at midnight, the shop 
was all aglow with the light of the flame of the kiln. The ware 
found a market among the farmers of the country. 

CUT NAILS. 

There was a time when all nails were manufactured of wrought 
iron, by hand. The blacksmiths of the country, when not engaged 
in other labors incident to their occupation, engaged in making 
nails, knowing that the time would come when they would be 
wanted. 

In 1795, five years after the passage of the patent law, Josiah 
G. Pearson, of jSTew York, patented an invention for cutting nails. 
Whether nails had been manufactured by cutting before that, is 
not known. The next year (1796) eleven patents were issued for 
methods of making nails, brads, and tacks, the greater part of 
the machines having reference to '"'cutting and heading." The 
manufacture of nails and tacks soon became a widespread indus- 
try. Mr. Jeremiah Gerrish engaged in the business on the farm 



INDUSTRIES. 



643 



now owned hj Charles Glitten. The manufacture was also car- 
ried on in the "Hollow" by water-power. At what date the man- 
ufacture began in the town is not known, nor how long it was 
continued. The machinery was rude, and probably gave place to 
the greatly improved machinery which appeared about 1809, in- 
vented by James Eeed, of Maiden, Mass., which cut and headed 
a nail at a single operation. 

CLOCKS. 

Boscawen at one time had two establislnnents for the manufac- 
ture of eight-day clocks, which also exhibited on the dial the days 
of the week and the changes of the moon. The cases were usu- 
ally made of cherry, and ornamented with brass rings and knobs. 
They were excellent time-keepers. Mr. Chadwick's shop was a 
one-storied building, which stood on the spot now occupied by the 
post-office. It was subsequently moved across the street, a second 
story added, and is now a dwelling-house. Mr. Morrill's shop is 
now the residence of Charles E. Chadwick. 

Upon the introduction of the more modern " time-piece," Mr. 
Chadwick retired from business, and removed to Vermont. Mr. 
Morrill accommodated himself to the new order of things, and 
made time-pieces ; but machine-made clocks soon su})planted the 
time-pieces, and Mr. Morrill engaged in the manufacture of coun- 
ter scales. In 1841, upon the appearance of the new musical 
reed instruments, he engaged in the manufacture of " melodeons" 
and " seraphines." 

TANNING. 

The great abundance of oak and hemlock bark gave an oppor- 
tunity for the tanning of leather. There were three tanneries in 
town, — that of John C. Cogswell, now occupied by Mr. Raymond; 
one owned by John Plummer, at the junction of Water and Long 
streets ; and one owned by John Stevens at Sweatt's mills. Mr. 
Cogswell and Mr. Stevens used water-power for grinding the bark 
and working their rude machinery. Mr. Plummer used horse- 
power. They purchased hides of the farmers, or tanned them 
on hire. 



644 MANUFACTURING AT FISHERVILLE, 



MANUFACTURING AT FISHERVILLE. 

jSTo attempt was made to utilize the water of the Contoocook 
river till 1787, when a saw-mill was built at the " Burrough" on 
the Concord side. Not long after, a saw-mill was built on the 
Boscawen side near the Merrimack, on the site of the present 
mill. This was followed by the carding-mill and cloth-dressing . 
establishment of William H. Gage. The manufacture of cotton 
and woollen goods at length made a demand for water-power to 
drive that machinery. This power attracted the attention of cap- 
italists ; and in 1823 or 1824 a gentleman of the name of Varney, 
from the vicinity of Dover, made a purchase of the power and the 
land on the north side of the river now owned by the present com- 
pany. He built a dam where the upper dam now is ; but for some 
reason his project fell through, and nothing more was done until 
1830, when the Yarney purchase was conveyed to Benjamin Kim- 
ball, Esq., by the Hon. Jeremiah Mason, acting for the L^nited 
States Bank, into Avhose hands it had passed. 

Mr. Kimball built the dam at the lower falls, on his purchase, 
and erected the grist-mill adjoining the Contoocook mill. He died 
in 1831 ; and the property was sold to JNtessrs. Calvin Gage and 
William M. Kimball, being deeded to them by Mr. Kimball about 
three weeks before his death. They obtained the charter for the 
Contoocook Manufacturing Company, and sold to the Messrs. 
Fisher, of Boston, whose heirs now own all, or nearly all, of the 
stock. In 1836, the Contoocook mill was erected. It is 100 feet 
by 50, five stories high, and was built of granite. In consequence 
of the financial revulsion in 1837, this mill stood idle, or nearly 
so, till 1842. It was then leased by Messrs. IT. H. & J. S. Brown, 
of Attleborough, Mass. They fitted the mill with machinery, and 
set the wheel in motion. Then the village began to grow, and the 
"Union district" became Fisherville. 

The company not long after purchased the land on the south 
side of the river, and in 1846 built the Penacook mill. This 
mill is 300 feet by 52, three stories high, with a wheel-house at 
each end 36 feet by 30. It is built of stone. This mill was 
leased b}^ the Messrs. Brown, and run in connection with the Con- 
toocook mill. Both mills manufacture "print cloth," and have 



BRIDGES. ^"*^ 

been run all or nearly all the time by the Messrs. Brown, either 
in partnership or separately. 

In 1847, Almon Harris, of Harrisville, purchased the site of the 
old grist- and clothing-mill near the Merrimack, and built a stone 
edifice 75 feet by 40, three stories high, and commenced the man- 
ufacture of woollen goods. As the manufacture of cotton and 
woollens always draws in other industries, it was not long before 
the saw factory and the flouring-mill were erected near the Mer- 
rimack, and in the centre of the village. Buildings for the man- 
ufacture of furniture and various kinds of iron and wood products 
were erected, so that to-day Fisherville can exhibit a variety of 
manufactures. Fisherville has now about three thousand inhab- 
itants, is pleasantly situated on both sides of the Contoocook and 
partly on the Merrimack rivers. That portion of it that lies in 
Concord constitutes Ward One of that city. The portion in Bos- 
caw^en embraces the most densely populated part of the town. It 
has the usual number of churches and school-houses, of stores and 
shops, that are usually found in such villages, mainly located on 
the Concord side. 

BEIDGES. 

CANTERBURY BRIDGE. 

The first bridge between Boscawen Plain and Canterbury was 
erected in 1804 [Civil Hist., p. 165]. Toll was exacted till 1816, 
when the proprietors allowed persons to pass free of charge, at their 
own risk, the bridge not being considered safe. The great freshet 
of 1819 swept the structure away, whereupon the proprietors 
erected a new bridge, under the supervision of Col. Isaac Chandler 
of Boscawen, and Jacob Blanchard of Canterbury. It was com- 
pleted in the summer of 1820, Init was washed away in a great 
winter freshet in the month of Februar}^, 1824. 

The third bridge was built by Benjamin Kimball, of Boscawen, 
for the proprietors, in 1825, which remained till January, 1839. 
There was a great body of snow upon the ground. There came a 
warm rain, which poured continuously nearly 36 hours. The 
consequence was a breaking up of the ice, which had an average 
thickness of about two feet. Every bridge on the Merrimack, 
south of Franklin, with the exception of the Hooksett and the 



646 



BRIDGES. 



Amoskeag falls bridge, was swept away. The proprietors once 
more constructed a bridge, a portion of which was carried away 
in the winter of 1848. 

The construction of the Northern and Montreal railroads had 
revolutionized affairs in Boscawen. The highways were no longer 
crowded with teams. The tavern-keepers cut down their signs. 
The merchants no longer had a throng of customers from other 
towns. The tide of travel between Boscawen and Canterburj^ was 
greatly diminished, and there was no inducement for private indi- 
viduals to invest their money in a bridge. 

Up to this time there had been but one free bridge across the 
Merrimack, from Camj^ton to the sea — that erected in Concord in 
1839, which had been carried away in 1841, and rebuilt, and again 
seriously injured. The town of Concord had voted, in 1842, that 
in the opinion of the legal voters the bridge ought not to be main- 
tained at the expense of the town. It was argued that the 
town ought not to support it for the benefit of the general public, 
but that it ought to be a county affair. The other towns in the 
county opposed it on the plea that it was no concern of theirs, as 
they had little or no occasion to use it. 

While Concord was thus discussing the question, citizens of 
Boscawen and Canterbury petitioned the county commissioners to 
erect a bridge to be supported by the two towns. This was re- 
sisted by both towns, till 1857. Meanwhile the public had been 
educated up to the idea of free bridges, the Boscawen bridge 
having been built meanwhile. The petitioners were finally suc- 
cessful in their efforts ; and the present covered structure was 
erected in the autumn of 1857, by Mr. E. L. Childs, of Concord, 
under the supervision of Mr. John Abbott, of the same place. 

BOSCAWEX BRIDGE. 

The bridge across the Merrimack, at its junction with the Con- 
toocook, was built by a company incorjiorated in 1802, and was 
constructed the same year. The capital stock consisted of 29 
shares, the par value of which was $29. The stock was taken by 
citizens of Boscawen and Concord. Col. Isaac Chandler was the 
largest stockholder, — subscribing for six shares. It was some- 
times called Chandler's bridge. 

At that time Portsmouth and Newburyport were important 



BRIDGES. 



647 



commercial towns, and tlie travel was largely in that direction. 
For a few years the bridge was remunerative to the proprietors, 
but the selection of Concord for the capital, and the opening of 
the Middlesex canal, with boating to Concord, turned the travel 
in a new direction. The original structure stood till 1839, when 
it was swept away by the great ice freshet which destroyed many 
bridges on the Merrimack. A chain-ferry served the piiblic till 
1853, when the present bridge was built by Boscawen and Can- 
terbury". 

SECOND CONTOOCOOK BRIDGE. 

The second bridge across the Contoocook was built in 1805, on 
the site of the first bridge, in the bend of the river, east of Pen- 
acook hotel. The contract was taken by Lieut. John Flanders, 
on 2 September, 1805, to be completed 1 October, the same year. 

The original document is in existence. The bridge was to be 
of good pine timber, 20 feet wide ; to be three and one half feet 
higher than the old bridge at the ends, and five feet higher in the 
middle. The piers were to have four posts each 16 inches square, 
a good mud-sill, and a cap 16 by 20 inches, and two braces 16 inches 
square, "as long as may be necessary." "There shall be a pier on 
each side of the old box, with good mud-sills and four posts to each 
pier, the end-posts to be 17 by 20 inches square, and the middle 
posts shall be 13 by 10 inches square. The two piers shall be 
be planked with good plank to within two feet of low water, and 
up within four feet of the cap. Said bridge shall be planked with 
good plank three and a half inches in thickness. There shall be 
bolts of iron one inch square through the string piece in the same 
manner as in the old bridge." The bridge was constructed by the 
towns of Boscawen and Concord. 

CONTOOCOOK RIVER BRIDGE CONTROVERSY. 

Previous to 1823 the highway leading from the tavern of Capt. 
John Chandler to Concord was laid easterly by the residence of 
Nathan Chandler, down the steep hill to the right, crossing the 
Contoocook river at the narrow gorge below the falls, thence 
south across the line between the towns by the school-house and 
homestead of Winthrop Elliot (a house now standing) to the 
main road. The large amount of transportation over this highway 



648 THE DUSTON MEMORIAL. 

hy teams from the nortli required a road that would avoid the 
steep hill on the north bank of the river. For the .better accom- 
modation of the public, the court of sessions, in the year 1821, 
which by the law of 8 Feb., 1791, had the power to lay out public 
liighwaj^s in certain cases, laid out a road from the tavern before 
mentioned in Boscawen, in a straight line across Contoocook 
river to what is now Washington square in Concord, upon condi- 
tion that the town of Boscawen should give security to maintain 
one half the bridge over the Contoocook, which bridge was part of 
the road so laid out. This change would remove the bridge from 
the town of Boscawen to Concord. The bond is in the hand- 
writing of Ezekiel Webster, and bears date 12 Jan., 1822. 

By this arrangement the bridge was built in 1823, and the 
agreement adliered to until 1839, when a controversy arose be- 
tween the towns in regard to the boundary, when the town of 
Boscawen neglected to carry out the provisions of the contract en- 
tered into in 1822. The town of Concord, being aggrieved at the 
action of the town of Boscawen in this matter, commenced a suit 
against Boscawen, upon the bond, in the court of common pleas, 
which was afterwards transferred to the superior court, of which 
Hon. Joel Parker was chief-justice. The case was conducted by 
Franklin Pierce and Asa Fowler for Concord, and Ichabod Bart- 
lett for Boscawen. At the Dec. term, 1845, a decision was ren- 
dered by Judge Woods in favor of Boscawen, who said that ''the 
contract by which they undertook to bind themselves to raise 
money for building the bridge was not founded upon such a con- 
sideration as to create a debt, and thus give the town a power to 
raise money." Since 1845 this bridge has been maintained by 
Concord. 

* THE DUSTON MEMORIAL. 

On the island at the mouth of the Contoocook river stands the 
granite memorial erected to commemorate the achievement of 
Mrs. Duston, Mary Neff, and Samuel Leonardson, in liberating 
themselves from captivity. The statue was erected mainly through 
the efforts of Eobert B. Caverly of Lowell, and E. S. Nutter of 
Concord. The first step to that end was the conveyance, by 
Messrs. John C. and Calvin Gage, to Eev. Nathaniel Bouton, E. 



ksc4^' 




Dustin Monument. 



ANCIENT HOUSES, G49 

S. Nutter, and R. B. Caverly, in trust, all of the land lying east 
of the Northern Railroad, iipon the island, for the purpose of es- 
tablishing a memorial. Funds to the amount of ^6,000 were 
raised by subscription. Tlie statue and pedestal are of Concord 
granite, after a design by William Andrews, of Lowell. The 
sculptors were Andrew Orsolini, James Murray, and Charles H. 
Andrews, the builder Porter E. Blanchard. 

The monument was unveiled 17 June, 1874, with appropriate 
ceremonies. There was a large gathering of people. Addresses 
were made by Rev. N. Ronton, of Concord ; R. B. Caverl}', Esq., 
of Lowell ; Hon. G. W. Nesmith, of Franklin ; Maj. Gen. S. G. 
Griffin, of Keene ; D. 0. Allen, of Lowell ; Hon. B. F. Prescott, 
of Epping ; Col. J. H. George, of Concord ; Rev. Elias Nasou, of 
Billerica ; Charles C. Coffin, of Boston ; Rev. W. T. Savage, of 
Franklin ; Ex.-Gov. Onslow Stearns, of Concord, — and others. 
Gov. James A. Weston accepted the deed in trust for the state. 

ANCIENT HOUSES. 

The oldest house now remaining in Boscawen is that standing 
near the site of the old fort, occupied by the second minister of 
the town. Rev. Robie Morrill [see Civil Hist.], who became a cit- 
izen in 1761. The building probably was erected by him. 

The house next in age, probably, is the residence of Mr. Frank- 
lin P. Atkinson, which was occupied by Dea. Jesse Flanders, and 
was built by him before 1765. 

The residence of Mr. Colby, on Water street, was built in 1768, 
by Capt. Peter Coffin. 

The house of G. W. Fisher, formerly the residence of Peter 
Coffin, son of Capt. Moses, was built about 1770, by George Jack- 
man. 

The house of Mr. Silver next west of Mr. Franklin P. 
Atkinson's, formerly stood near the residence of Mr. Jacob C. 
Flanders. It was built by Andrew Bohonnon, and possibly is one 
of the oldest in town. 

In 1775 there were but two framed houses west of Beaver Dam 
brook, neither of which is standing. They were the houses of 
Jonathan Cass and Benjamin Day. 

The oldest house in Webster is the residence of Mr. Tilton, on 
Corser hill, built by David Corser. 



650 WILD ANIMALS CHARACTERS. 

The house of Dr. Graves, on Boscawen Plain, was built by Dr. 
Daniel Peterson, and it has been occupied for many years bj^ phy- 
sicians. Dr. Peterson, Dr. Warren E. Chase, Dr. E. K. Webster, 
and Dr. Graves, all have resided there. 

The residence of Mr. C. W. Webster was built in 1798 by John 
Jackman, who also did most of the work on the meeting-house. 

The house owned by Mr. James Gill was built by Mr. Gregg 
Emerson, earl}^ in the century. 

The parsonage of the Congregational society, Boscawen, was 
built by David Burbank, whose blacksmith-shop stood near by. 
It was the residence of Mr. Jeremiah Gerrish, who presented it to 
the society in his last will and testament. 

WILD AITIMALS. 

Wolves were abundant when the town was first settled. The 
last wolf killed in Boscawen was shot about 1831-'32 by Samuel 
Call, near Cook's hill. 

Bears were also abundant, and as late as 1810-'15 were fre- 
quently seen in town. 

Beavers were numerous on all the streams. The compiler can 
recall several dams which were distinctly recognizable in his boy- 
hood, around Great pond and the Water street meadows. 

When the town was first settled rattlesnakes abounded, es- 
pecially on the rocky hills of Bashan. Moses Gerrish, — one of 
the early settlers of that section, — killed more than 50 in one day. 
Empirics in medicine prescribed the oil of rattlesnakes' hearts as 
a specific for consumption, and tlie oil thus obtained hy Mr. Ger- 
rish was sold to the Canterbury Shakers for such use. Two rat- 
tlesnakes were killed by Gen. M. A. Pillsbury on his farm about 
1840, and Mr. Bitfield Burbank despatched one at a still later 
date, — about 1847. 

CHABACTEKS. 

This history would be incomplete if no mention were made of 
the " characters," or the peculiar men, numbered among the citi- 
zens. In every community such men may be found. Their 
neighbors call them •' odd sticks." They are wits, jesters, sat- 
irists, or possessed of some idiosyncrasy that distinguishes them 



CHARACTERS. 651 

from their neighbors. Tliey may be wliolly uneducated, but yet 
make up in mother-wit any lack of acquired knowledge. They 
may be stupid in some things, and exceedingly brilliant in others. 
They are usually men abounding in good nature, who rarely take 
umbi-age at any mistake or blunder that may be made, who are 
keenly alive to fun, who appreciate a joke, who utter ludicrous 
sayings without knowing it, or who coin words not to be found in 
any lexicon. 

One of the latter class was Mr. Amos Blanchard, whose ac- 
quaintance with books was limited, who possibly never conned a 
page of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, but who nevertheless 
sometimes coined words that expressed his ideas quite as well as 
an}- from Greek or Latin roots. He invariably used '' ascertain " 
as a synonym for thinJc or comprehend. " I should ascertain 
that it was going to rain," was a common form of expression. 
If the weather was lowering, he used " duberous " for dubious. 
A winter's day, when the wind was blowing a gale, and the air 
filled with drifting snow, was "boistorious " and " fluergent." Is 
there a word in common use that better describes such a day ? 

Another character was Thomas Corser, who was accustomed to 
travel through the town with medicinal herbs, distributing them 
to the housewives. He usually had a large bundle of catnip, fever- 
bush, golden-rod, etc., which were much used the first third of the 
century. He charged nothing for these herbs. He had great 
faith in their efficacy. He once called at the house of Mr. Joel 
French, whose child was sick, and urged the mother to steep 
some of his herbs. 

" Do it, do it, if you want to save his life ! Do it ! If it kills 
him I'll pay for it ! " 

Mr. Corser lost his life by attempting to cross Long pond on 
the ice before it was sufficiently strong to bear him. 

Mr. James West, who for manj' 3'ears kept tavern on the Plain, 
in the house occupied by Mr. Dow, was a genial man, a popular 
host with the travelling community, good at telling a story, 
and who delighted in a joke. About the close of the first third 
of the century. Potter, a sleight-of-hand performer, of xindover, for 
whom the station " Potter Place " was named, gave an entertain- 
ment on the Plain. One of the performances of the evening was 
cooking eggs in a hat. The prestidigitateur borrowed a hat from 
42 



652 CHARACTERS, 

some one in the audience, broke several eggs into it, seemingly, 
then pronouncing some cabalistic words, and shaking the hat, pro- 
duced from this novel frying-kettle eggs nicely cooked, which 
were passed around to the audience, and the hat also, without a 
stain upon its lining. Of course no eggs were broken into the 
hat : it was all deception. 

On the evening after the performance, the usual circle of 
loungers of the bar-room were discussing the marvellous trick 
over their grog, and among them was one who expressed some 
doubt about the ^performance. The landlord saw a chance to 
play off one of his practical jokes, and said, — 

'•'I'll bet a quart of rum that I can do that trick."' 

" I'll take that bet I"' Avas the quick response of the wearer of 
the new hat. 

"Done I then give us your hat," said jMr. W., taking it from 
the wearers head, and deliberately breaking several eggs into 
it. 

The loafers crowded around the bar to see the performance. 

An essential part of the 2>erfonnance was the use of high- 
sounding gibberish, which Mr. West gave, ending with the words, 
" Presto, change !" meanwhile shaking the hat. 

" I declare, they don't sizzle yet," he said, looking into the hat, 
and then repeating the gibberish, and shaking it once more, till 
the inside was well splashed with the yolk. 

" They don't cook, that's a fact. I've lost my bet. Here, take 
your rum." 

A roar of laughter from the crowd set the winner to thinking 
that it was his hat which the landlord had been using for a fry- 
kettle. The landlord had his joke, but he was not a man to in- 
dulge his humor at the pecuniary expense of another, and made 
ample satisfaction. 

Another character was Mr. David Heath, more familiarly 
known as "Jester" Heath, from his jests and jokes. If the}^ were 
somewhat coarse, there was also at times rare humor in them. 
There was a period when hoop-poles w^ere an article of commerce, 
and Mr. Heath was not always particular in regard to boundaries 
when engaged in cutting poles. 

" If you never will cut any more on my land, I will give you a 
pig," was the offer of Capt. Little Burbank. 



CHARACTERS. 653 

" If you will not cut any more on mine, I will give you a sheep," 
said Capt. Abraham Burbank. 

" I am much obliged to you, gentleman, but a man can't afford 
to sell everything,'' was the reply. 

Another character was Mr. Nathan Hunt, whose natural 
endowments were by no means of an inferior order, but who by 
indulging in drink became a wreck of his former self, and earned 
a precarious living by making baskets and bottoming chairs. He 
was an excellent workman. No better baskets were ever made* 
They were strong, evenly woven, and of symmetrical form. What- 
ever he did was well done, though his customers, especially those 
who had paid for their wares, were greatly troubled by his pro- 
crastination. He had a keen sense of humor. During sickness 
he was attended by Dr. Long, of Hopkinton. Those were the 
days when calomel was given in large doses, and so much was ad- 
ministered to the patient that his teeth were loosened in the 
gums. After his recovery Mr. Hunt made payment in hand- 
rakes. One may imagine the inward chuckling of the rako- 
maker, as he shaved the teeth and head of the implements from 
unseasoned wood — how in a few days the teeth would loosen and 
drop from their sockets. 

The rakes were speedily finished after being ordered. The 
doctor was surprised at the unwonted promptness of the maker. 
The rakes were beautiful to the eye, smoothly shaven the handles, 
tight and firm the teeth. The doctor admired them. 

A few days passed. The workmen used the implements in the 
summer sun, when, lo ! the rakes were toothless. 

" Every tooth has come out of those rakes which you made," 
said the irate physician to Mr. Hunt. 

" Ah, doctor, you have been giving them calomel, I reckon," 
said Mr. Hunt. 

The physician appreciated the joke, and told it with a relish. 

No man ever walked the highways of Boscawen who had so 
hearty a laugh as Mr. Hunt. When anything pleased him he 
laughed all over, with a heartiness that was contagious. He be- 
gan with a haw-haw-haw, deep, resonant, to be written large, if 
expressed in writing, accelerating the haw-haw, catching his 
breath, beginning over again, repeating, changing to ho-ho-ho, 
for several minutes. 



654 CHARACTERS. 

Once his supper was hasty-pudding and milk, and he ate 
heartily, — ate till the platter was clean. It was in the days when 
fire-places were used, and he laid down upon the floor to enjoy 
its genial warmth, and soon fell asleep. Some young men, who 
had dropped in, thought it an excellent opportunity to play a joke 
upon the sleeper, and, creeping up stairs and raising a board, they 
dropped a pumpkin in the last stage of mellowness plump upon 
the prostrate form. They were roystering fellows, who did not 
stop to reflect upon the indecency. Mr. Hunt awoke, and in 
lugubrious tones thus upbraided his wife : 

" There, wife, now see what you have done. What did you 
give me all that pudden for ? You might have known I would 
eat it all, even if there was a bushel of it. Here I am, busted T 

Another character was Mr. Obadiah Elkins, Avhose oddity may 
have been intensified by a disappointment of the affections. He 
was a builder of many houses. They were not spacious, or lofty, 
but of small size. He would obtain permission from some kind 
neighbor to put up a cabin, and with much diligence add room 
after room at all sides. When weary of residing in that locality 
he would dispose of them for a small sum, and begin again in 
another place. He resided chiefly in Bashan. 

Once he grew weary of life, and resolved to commit suicide. He 
made his way to Pillsbury's mill-pond, and plunged in, held his 
head beneath the water awhile, and then waded to the shore. In 
rehearsing what he had done, he said he "couldn't hold his breath 
long enough to drown." He did not see the absurdity of the re- 
mark, and even wondered at the laughter it created. 

Again, when sick, he wished to shufile off this mortal coil. 
"I have tried to die," he said. "If I were to die, I couldn't try 
any harder !" 

While prostrated by sickness, Kev. Mr. Price called upon him 
to offer the consolations of religion, praying not alone for the sick 
man, but giving wide scope to his supplication. INIr. Elkins was 
restored to health, and, wishing to show his appreciation of Mr. 
Price's kindness, determined to make him a present of a half 
bushel of beans. He showed a grim humor by obtaining from the 
neighbors several varieties, white and speckled, cranberry and 
pink-eyed, bush and pole, large and small. 

" I notice, Mr. Elkins, that you have all sorts of beans in your 



CHARACTERS. 655 

basket," was the remark of tlie reverend gentleman, when he 
thanked the donor for the gift. 

" Well, sir, you prayed all sorts, aiid I thought I would give 
you all sorts," was the witty reply. The humor was keenly rel- 
ished by the recipient. 

Convinced in his own mind that he was not going to live long, 
he resolved to have his coffin made, that his friends might not be 
burdened by such a dut^', and carried the boards to a joiner, who, 
upon measuring them, said to Mr. Elkins : 

" The boards are not long enough." 

" Oh ! I can scrooch up a little," was the reply. 

He lived in the days when men drank liquor. He usually 
drank in moileration, but when his brain was excited Ijy alcohol, 
there was a delicious incongruity in his humor. He called one 
day at the house of Col. John Farmer, where the good wives of 
the neighborhood had assembled for a quilting. He seated him- 
self before the fire, and taking a clean shirt from a package, pro- 
ceeded to change his clothing, whereupon Mrs. F. told him that 
he could have the use of the adjoining room. 

'' Oh, I can shut my eyes !" was the reply. 

Once, when having been refused a mug of cider by the same 
lady, he politely expressed his anger, not by wishing she were 
dead, but wishing that she were " nicely in heaven." 

His house and the grounds around were ever a pattern of neat- 
ness. He v/as kind-hearted, and ever ready to oblige his neigh- 
bors. Nature was not niggardl^^ in her endowments, but a bitter 
disappointment blighted his life and made him what he was. 

Kind-hearted men were they all, and they made the town 
merry with their wit. 

One of Doctor Elijah Blaisdel's female patients was noted for 
her econoni}', never permitting anything to be wasted. There had 
been sickness in the family, and there was a good suj^ply of pills 
and powders on hand, after the recovery of the children. 

" It's too bad to have them wasted," said the mother, who, 
mixing jalop, calomel, ipecac, all in one mess, swallowed the 
mixture ! The results may be imagined. 

Another woman, who never had travelled, but who contem- 
plated a visit to distant friends, fearful that she might be ill, sat 
up through the night, and drank so much herb tea that in the 



656 V. D. M. TREES. 

morning she was prostrated with sickness, and the journey never 
was made. 

V. D. M. 

On page 159, mention is made of the eulogy upon Washington, 
delivered by Rev. Ariel Kendrick, v. D. M., with the statement 
that none of the oldest inhabitants knew the meaning of the cab- 
alistic letters. Since the page has been printed, it has been as- 
certained that they stood for Veterinary Doctor of Medicine ; or, 
in other words, that Rev. Mr. Kendrick, in addition to his calling 
as a preacher, united that of " cow doctor." 

TREES. 

The first trees transplanted in Boscawen, probably, were those 
set out by Rev. Phineas Stevens, none of which remain except 
possibly the tree standing near the residence of Jacob Hosmer. 
One of those set out by Rev. Mr. S. stood in front of the hat-shop 
of Mr. Jacob Ilosmer, senior; — it was blown down in 1834. 

The large elm opposite the academy was set out by William 
Gill about 1790 [see Gill Gen., p. 551]. 

The elms standing on the west side of King street, between the 
residence of James H. Gill and Mr. Bickford, were set out by 
Joel French, Wm. G. Emerson, Col. Joseph and N. P. Atkin- 
son, some time during the first decade of the century [see p. 5-32]. 

Those on the opposite side of the street, south of the meeting- 
house, were set out by Russell Ambrose, 1834 [see p. 232], for 
which he received the thanks of tlie Congregational society. 

The largest elms in the academy yard were transplanted in 
1829 by David K. Jones, a student at the academy. He went 
West, and died in Michigan. The maple near the entrance was 
set out by Charles C. Coffin, in 1839. He set out others, but that 
alone survived, owing to the rude treatment to which all were sub- 
jected from being used as hitching-posts. 

The first damask rose in town, probably, grew on a bush 
brought from oSTewbury (Byfield parish), Mass., by Henry Little, 
about 1815. He obtained it from the garden of Hon. Gorham 
Parsons. It was transplanted in Dea. Enoch Little's front yard, 
and flourished for many years. 

The lilac trees standing in front of the residence of H. H. 



COLLEGIATE AND PROFESSIONAL RECORD, 



66i 



Price, Frederic, grad. Dart, 1838; physician in Ohio [see Gen.]. 

RowELL, Elijah, physician on Corser hill, 1816-1820. 

EoLFE, Henuy p., grad. Dart. 1818; attorney in Cdnoord [see Gen.]. 

Sawyer, Samuel, physician mentioned by Rev. Mr. Price. 

Sawyer, Ben.tamin, physician on Corser hill, 1810-1843. 

Severance, M. L., Rev., grad. Middlebury ; minister Cong, church, 
1861-1869, now at Orwell, Vt. 

Shepard, Forrest, Prof., grad. Dart.,. 1827 [see Biog.]. 

Sleeper, Nehemiah, Rev., minister Christian Union church, 1835- 
1810 [see Gen.]. 

Smith, Ambrose, Rev., grad. Dart. 1815; minister Cong, church, 
1853-1862 [see Biog.]. 

Smith, Justix H., grad. Dart., 1877 [see Gen.]. 

Stone, Silas C, teacher; master Sherwin school, Boston [see Gen.]. 

Stone, C. J. F., attorney at Plymouth; died 18G0 [see Gen.]. 

Stevens, Phineas, Rev., grad. Harvard; first minister in Boscawen 
[see Biog.]. 

Stevens, Bradford N., Hon., grad. Dart., 1835; attorney at Prince- 
ton, 111.; member of Congress. 

Tenney, Jonathan, grad. Dart., 1813; teacher Pembroke Academy, 
1814-1819; Pittsfield, 1850-1853; Manchester, 1853-1856; Elm- 
wood Institute, 1856-1868 [p. 291] ; connected with N. Y. State 
Board of Education; Librarian of Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation at Albany. 

Tilton, John, Rev., minister Christian Union church. 

TiTCOMB, G. P., physician in Salisbury. 

Tracy, Caleb B., Rev., grad. Williams; minister Cong, church, 1837- 
1851 [see Ecclesiastical Hist.]. 

Tucker, William J., d. d.. Rev., grad. Dart., 1861; minister Frank- 
lin St. Cong, church, Manchester, now of Madison Square Pres- 
byterian church. New York. 

Walker, Silas C, grad. Dart., 1829; attorney in Virginia, INIississip- 
pi; died in Arkansas, 1858. 

AVebster, Daniel, Hon., grad. Dart., 1801; attorney [see Biog.]. 

Webster, Ezekiel, Hon., grad. Dart., 1804; attorney [see Biog.]. 

Webster, Eliphalet K., physician [see Biog.]. 

Wells, Thomas, physician on the Plain, 1795-1800; moved to IIop- 
kinton. 

Whitman, Z. G., grad. Harvard; attorney on Corser hill, 1831-1810. 

Wilson, Job, physician; resided on Water st., afterwards in Franklin. 

Wood, Samuel, Rev., grad. Dart., 1779; minister in Boscawen [see 
Biog.]. 



662 ministers' wives. 

MINISTERS' WIVES. 

In addition ta those citizens of Boscawen and Webster who 
liave entered the ministry, are the Avomen whose names are here 
given, who have married ministers, and have thus been influential 
in moulding society : 

Bridgp:, Emily, dau. Samuel, of Billerica, Mass.; resides in B. ; m. 
Rev. Henry Jewett, Cong, minister in Maine. 

CoGSWKLL, Ruth, dau. Nehemiah, sen.; m. Rev. Samuel W. Colburn 
[see Professional Record]. 

Dix, Raciikl B., dau. Col. Timothy; m. Rev. Daniel Temple, of Read- 
ing, Mass. ; missionary to Malta [see Gen.]. 

Dix, Louisa Frances, dau. Col. Timothy; m. Rev. Edward Buxton, 
of B. [see Gen.]. 

Greenougit, Ellen, dau. John; m. Rev. D. R. Brewer, minister 
Episcopal church. 

Geruisii, Sally, dau. of Dea. Enoch ; ra. Rev. Samuel Bliss [see Gen.]. 

Gerrisii, Sally, dau. of Col. Joseph; m. Rev. Enoch Corser [see Ger- 
rish and Corser Gen.]. 

Gerrish, Mary, dau. Col. Joseph; m. Rev. Wm. Patrick, of Canter- 
bury [see Gen.]. 

Gerrish, Apphia, dau. Jacob; m. Rev. Phannuel Warriner, ofCanan- 
daigua, N. Y. ; resides in Texas [see Gen.]. 

Knight, Catharine, dau. of Caleb; m. Rev. Nathaniel Barker, Cong, 
minister at Wakefield for many years. 

Little, Ruoda, dau. Benjamin ; m. Rev. Calvin Cutter, Presbyterian 
minister at Windham. Her eldest son. Rev. Charles, is Cong, 
minister in Oliio ; her second son, Rev. Carrol, is president West- 
ern Reserve College, Ohio [see Gen.]. 

Little, Jane, dau. of Joseph; m. Rev. Amos P. Brown, of Campton, 
home missionary for many years in 111. [see Gen.]. 

Little, Emma, dau. Jesse; m. Rev. Addison Kingsbury, of Putnam, 
O. [see Gen.]. 

Patrick, Mary, dau. of John, and great-granddaughter of Col. Jo- 
seph Gerrish, is missionary to Turkey, residence at Constanti- 
nople. 

Price, Mary P., dau. Rev. Ebenezer; m. Rev. Addison Kingsbury, of 
Putnam, O. 

Price, Emily P., dau. Rev. Ebenezer; m. Rev. Z. K. Hawley, Cong, 
minister of Conn.; resides in Memphis, Tenn. 

Plummer, Lucretia a., dau. Capt. Joshua C; m. Rev. Charles Tem- 
ple. 



ministers' wives. 663 

SwEATT, Flora, dau. Isaac T. ; lu. Rev. H. Ilartwell, minister Meth- 
odist church. 

SwEATT, Emily, dau. Isaac T. ; m. Rev. Greenleaf Warner, minister 
Methodist church. 

SwEATT, Arietta, dau. George; m. Rev. G. "W. Smitli, minister 
Methodist church. 

Webster, Alice, dau. Hon. Ezekiel; m., 1st, Rev. Jarvis Gregg, pro- 
fessor at Western Reserve college, O. ; 2d, Rev. Geo. B. Whip- 
ple, of Oberlin. 

Webster, Mary Ann, dan. lion. Ezekiel; m. Prof. Edwin D. San- 
born, of Dartmouth college. 

Webster, Ann R., dau. Nathaniel; m. Rev. Horace Eaton, d. d., min- 
ister at Palmyra, N. Y. 

Worcester, Betsey, niece of Rev. Samuel Wood; m. Rev. Stephen 
Bliss, Cong, -ninister. 



GEJ^EEAL I:NDEX. 



Aciuleruy, Boscaweu 200, 291. 

Penacook, 292. 
Admiral Boscawen, 79, 81, 84. 
Ainsworth's Psalms. 293. 
Alcoholic liquors' 210. 
Abus-house, town, 190. 

county, 222. 
Ames. Simeon, arrest of, G2. 
Ancient houses, 049. 
Auti-slavery, 200, 201, 206, 207. 
Apprentices, 54. 
Association, ministerial, 228. 
Association test, 114, 115. 

Battle of Lexington, 247. 
Baptisms, 240. 
Baptist society, 205. 

" church, 24.3. 
Bashan iSIining Co., 179. 
Bay State Psalm Book, 293. 
Bennington campaign, 253. 

" "" battle, 257. 

soldiers, 255, 265. 

" anniversary, 225. 

Bennet, Salmon, Picv., 232, 2.35. 
Bishop, Josiah, killed by Indians, 39. 

" Enos, captured by Indians, 69, 7C. 
Biographical history, 301. 
Boscawen, how spelled, 83. 
Boston, Fort hill, 105. 
Boscawen Musical Society, 296. 
Bonds, taxation of, 223. 

" sale of, 224. 
Bounties for soldiers, 223. 
Bridges— Boscawen, 198, 64G. 

Blackwater, 104, 105, 128, 131. 

" Canterbury, 165, 166, 198, 645. 

" Cliandler's. 046. 

" Clay hill, 131. 

" Contoocook, 21, 92, 160, 1S9, 647. 

Brown, John, journal, 11. 
Buxton, Edward, Rev., 239, 323. 
Bunker hill s(ddiers, 248. 
Burial grounds, 180, 223. 

Cambridge platform, 233. 

Campaign of 1777, 2.52. 

Call, Pliilip. Mrs., killed by Indians, C9. 

California emigr.ation,210. 

Cassar killed by Indians, 41. 

Canterbury garrison, 40. 

Central Musical Society, 298. 

Celebration at Newbury, 79. 



Centennial celebration, 215. 

Characters, 650. 

Check-list, 181. 

Churcli and state, 152, ICl. 

Cliurch difficulties, 241. 

Churches in New Hampshire, 216. 

Christian Baptist cliurch, 242. 

" Union society, 188, 191, 206, 240, 

242. 
Clocks, 643. 

Clough, Abner, journal, 43, 45. 
Clougli, Jeremiali, 40, 78. 
Collegi.ate record, 657. 
Coos soldiers, 253. 
Coos, road to, 55. 
Cold Friday, 178. 
Colonial jurisdiction, 33, 35. 
Constitution of N. H., 143, 221, 224. 
Cook, Thomas, killed bj' Indians, 41. 
County almshouse, 222. 
Coffin, Peter, Capt., Ill, 113. 
Correspondence between Gov. Wentworth 

and (iov. Shirley, 67, 62. 
Committee of Safety, 112. 
Commercial distress, 202. 
Corser hill meeting-house, 236. 
Continental soldiers, 267. 
Congregational church in Fisherville, 243. 
Congregationalism, return to, 235. 
Cut nails, 642. 

Currency, 55, 101,117, 119, 129, 132, 156. 
Customs, 174, 194, 195. 
Crows, 197. 

Dartmouth college, 227. 

" " road to, 131. 

Day-book of Dea. Enoch Little, 184. 
Debt, funding of, 213. 
Destitution, 184. 
Diary of Col. Henry Gerrish, 247. 

" Lieut. John Flanders, 250. 

" Capt. Peter Kimb.all, 253, 261. 
Disturbance in town-meeting, 168. 
Division of the town, 619. 
Dollars, first use of the word, 100. 
Duston, Mrs., 5. 
Duston I'li-morial, 648. 
Dutch ovens, 176. 

Eastabrook, Samuel, Rev., 118. 
Early singing, 294. 
Ecclesiastical history, 226. 
Educational history, 279. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



665 



Ela, Samuel, Rev., 113. 

Elmvvood Institute, 291. 

Elevations, 635. 

Endicott, Gov., 5. 

Expedition to Upper Connecticut, 63. 

Federal soldiers, 20S. 

" constitution, 1.34, 135. 
Festivities, 141. 
Felt liats, 642. 
Ferry, '22. 
First law-suit, 92. 

" settlers, 1.5. 

" minister, 22. 

" town-meeting, 83. 

" election under tlie constitution, 135. 

" military company, 37. 

" saw-mill, 17, 21. 

" ciiild, 18. 
Fire precinct. 209. 

" engine, 207. 
Foxes, 197. 
Fort, 20, 52. 
French war, 51, 76, 79. 
Framed houses, 85. 
Freshets, 191, 192, 198. 

Gates, Horatio, thanks to Koscawen sol- 
diers, 266. 
Gentlemen's farms, 10. 
Golfe, John, 41. 72. 
Going to meeting, 174. 
Grant to Contoocook, 3. 
Grafton Presbytery, lOS, 234. 
Grist-mill in Concord, 48. 
Grist-mills in Boscaweu, 638. 
Gunpowder, 132. 

Hay-scales, 177. 
Hearse horses, 193. 
Health, 636. 

Highway obstructions, 2'1. 
History of the town, 214. 224, 225. 
Honorable action of proprietors, 52. 
Household furniture, 73, 176. 
Hudson River campaign, 251. 

Illegal voting, 211. 

Implements, 1;4. 

Industries, 637. 

Insurance company, 208. 

Indians, 37, 39, 40, 41,42,53,63,64,65,68, 

69, 70, 71, 75, 78. 
Iron axles, 184. 

Jackman, Mases, captured by Indians, 78. 
Justice of the peace, 94. 

Kearsarge mountain, 44. 

Lexington, battle of, 111, 115. 

Legacy of Rev. Samuel Wood, 232. 

Line between Boscawen and Cauterburv, 

209. 
Line between Boscaweu and Concord, 198. 

" " Mass. and X. H., 34. 
Library, 144. 
Licenses, 143, 193. 
Lien of mechanics, 209. 
Lots, 12, 14, 23, 24, 88. 
Lords proprietors, 49, 120. 
Lumber, 210, 637. 

Martin Luther Musical Society, 298. 
Manufacturers, 132, 644. 



Map for schools, 210. 
Merrimack valley settlements, 19. 

hall, 2.33. 
Merrill, Nathaniel, Rev., 97, 99, 100, 101, 

102, 104, lOf^, 234. 
;Meloon family captured, 63, 65, 66, 67. 
Methodist church, 243. 

Meeting-houses, 23, 25, 98, 101, 105, 119, 129, 
131, 136, 137, 13i>, 140, 141, 153, 157, 187, 
188, 200, 226. 
Military history, 245. 

" spirit, 170. 

" prej)arations, 263. 

" receipts, 252, 266. 

" campaigns, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 
>lills, 17, 21, 224, 225, 638. 
Ministers, 657. 
Minister's lot, 75. 

" patriotism, 228. 

" oaths, 227. 

" wives, 662. 

Miscellany, 619. 
Money, scarcity of, 132. 
Mother Hoit, 176. 
Moral society, 182. 
Morrill, Robie, Rev., 84, 86, 87, 88, 91, 93, 

94, 96, 113. 
Musters, lb2, 193, 273, 274, 275. 
Musical societies, 196. 

•' education, 293. 

" instruments, 296. 

Newspapers, 177. 

New style, f 5. 

New lights, 233. 

New county, 134, 188, 189. 

New York "campaign, 251. 

Norway plain, 212. 

Notices of tirst settlers, 302. 

Occupations, 173, 174, 175. 

Ordination of Rev. Phineas Stevens, 29,30, 

31, 32. 
Overhauling a committee, 131. 
Official history, 619. 

Palm-leaf liats, 641. 

Patriotic action, 117, 219, 220. 

Parsonage lands, sale of, 143. 

I'ains, 88. 

Paper rags, 120. 

Party spirit, 174, 202, 203. 

Paupers, 105, 162. 178. 

Peuacook academy, 292. 

I'enalties, 312 

People's declaration, 106, 107. 

Petitions of citizens of Andover and other 

towns, 1. 
Petition of citizens of Newbury, 3. 
Petitions of citizens of Contoocook, 23, 37, 

38, 47, 48, 64, 74, 94, 97. 
Petition for a new town, 137. 
Physicians, 108. 

Plunder, sale at Battenkill, 265. 
Pound, 149. 
Post routes, 143, 200. 
Pottery, 642. 
Polls, 100. 

Population, 24, 99, 112, 128, 133, 191, 635. 
Progress, 172. 
Professional record, 661. 
Prisoners, liberation of, 59. 
Produce, prices of, 1.55. 
Province road, 103 
Price, Ebenezer, Rev., 187, 236. 



666 



GENERAL IXDEX. 



rroprietors' records, 208. 
^^c3Po<f*?f .1,"*^!-'"^*' 3' 8' "> 16, 17, 20, 20, 
150 ' ' ' '''' ^^' ^"' ^^> ^3' '5' ' '' 8". 
Proprietors' clerk, 84. 
Preaching at tbe West eiul, 118. 

Quebec expedition, 249. 

Raising tlie meeting-house, 1 18 

Railroads, 207, 208, 211. 

Record of mortality, C3G. 

Revivals, 1^2. 

Receipt for gun, 249. 

Rebellion, 212, 213. 217, 219. 

Religious society records, 230. 
" controversy, 174. 
" dissent, 50, 51, 77. 

Reduction of Canada, 85. 
Rhode Island campaign, 207 
Roll of honor at IJuiiker hill, 249 
Road to Hopkinton, lyo. 

Saw-mills on the Blackwater, 119 

Sabatis and Plansawa, 63, 50, 57 

^ale of almshouse, 214. 

Scouting party, 03. 

Selectmen's accounts, 87, 88, 81, 93 94 ins 

118, 119, 120, 121. 122, 123, 148, 170. ' ° 
Settlements, 85, 90. 
Seraphines, 2dd. 
Second Cong, church, 238, 239 
Schools, 86. 92, 97, 104, 108, 109, lio in 

116,118.124, 128, 129, 135', 148; IL;' 167; 

School lots, 1.35. 
" law, 169. 
Shay's rebellion, 1,33. 
Sheep, 180, VJ3. 
Singing-schools, 299, ,390. 
Soldiers in Indian wars, 244, 245. 

'■ in Revolution, 247,' 249" ''5] •'-■jq 

255, 263, 207. ' ' 

Soldiers in war with Great Rritain "69 
'' I'l the Rebellion, 270, 277,278 " 
Smith, Ambrose. Rev., 235 
Small pox, 218. 160. 
Spinning, 637. 
Stages, 178. 
State capital, 163. 

" bounties, 222. 

" police, 223. 



Stevens, Phiueas, Rev., 22, 28 7'> 
Stores, 148. ' > °, '- 

Suits to recover taxes, 151. 
Surplus revenue, 197, 201. 
Survey of Contoocook, 8. 
Sunday travelling, 100. 

" schools, 183, 244. 
Swine, LSI, 192. 

Tanniug, 643. 

Taxation, exemption from '>'>4 
Taverns, 149, 150, 165, 193. 
Teachers' iiistitnte, 222. 
Temperance, 194, 195, 196 
Theology, 125. 
Ticonderoga soldiers, 251. 
Town charter, 74, 76, 70. 
" corn, 108. 
" census, 128. 
" house, 21, 201, 200, 209. 
" farm, 190, 197. 
" seal, 192. 
" officers, 622 
Transition period, 150 
Trespass, 156. 
Trees, 232, 656. 
Travelling on Sunday, 1S3. 
Trouble with England, 149. 
Turnpikes, 1G2. 
Tract distribution, 229. 

Universalist society, 161, 197. 

Vagrants, 197, 202. 

Vermont Committee of Safety, 254 

^ oluiiteers, 212, 213. 

Washington, death of, 158. 

„- ' .„ -, I5enevolent Society, 181. 

\Var with Great Britain, IM, -icy. 

War of Kebellion. 276. 

Warning out, 90, 1.30. 

Westerly Reliu'ious society, 166, 236. 

Webster, Kzvkicl, death of, 193. 

" .liiIiM, ( aptnin, 71. 

I' incor|>orati..n of, 217. 

^1 lirst tdwn-meeting in, 219. 

wi • ■ '^'f"'"'"''"* with Boscawen, 219. 

Wlupping-posts, 170. 

Wild animals, 6.50. 

A\'ood, Samuel, Rev., 123, 125, 144 161 



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£ 90? 



